Two people are confirmed dead after a chemical tank ruptured at a paper mill. Nine others are still missing following the incident. The company operating the mill is Nippon Dynawave Packaging. This occurred in Washington state. The rupture happened on Tuesday. Crews are now focused on recovery, not rescue. They do not expect to find any survivors among the missing.
A highly corrosive industrial chemical spilled. The chemical is known as white liquor. It is an alkaline solution. This solution is used to make paper products. The tank held hundreds of thousands of gallons. About 25,000 gallons remain inside the damaged tank. The chemical continues to leak slowly. Officials confirmed the deaths on Wednesday. One injured person died from their wounds. Another injured person was a firefighter. Seven employees were hurt in the blast. The scene remains extremely hazardous.
The incident is being called the deadliest industrial accident in modern Washington history. Governor Bob Ferguson deployed the National Guard. They are assisting with recovery and cleanup. The Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility employs 1,000 people. The plant produces tissues, printer paper, and other goods. This mill also had a major fire in July 2023. That fire involved burning piles of wood. The chemical spill entered the Columbia River. Local drinking water and air quality remain unaffected. Officials stated this. Officials are investigating the cause of the rupture. The situation underscores industrial safety concerns.
One of the deceased workers was identified. His daughter, Geovana Bernal, identified him. Gilbert Bernal was an employee. His daughter described him as selfless. He worked hard to provide for his family. He was preparing for his 32nd wedding anniversary. His grandson was also very important to him. The second victim has not been identified yet. Officials are working on identification and family notification. This is according to a joint statement. The statement came from the Longview Fire Department and Nippon Dynawave. Recovery operations will be slow and methodical. Crews wear special protective gear. Some areas are too dangerous for any equipment. Dignity and respect are paramount.
The incident has significant implications for worker safety. It also impacts the local environment. The National Guard's involvement highlights the severity. Investigations into the cause will be crucial. Nippon Dynawave Packaging will face scrutiny. The economic impact on production is unknown. Future regulations may be considered. Public and employee confidence is shaken. The company faces potential fines and lawsuits.