All 11 victims recovered after Washington paper mill explosion, official says
The remains of all missing workers from a catastrophic chemical tank implosion at a Washington state paper mill have been recovered, officials confirmed Saturday, bringing the death toll to 11 and ending a five-day search that tested rescue crews and rattled the Longview community.
“Today, on day five of this incident, I can share that we have recovered the ninth and final missing employee,” Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig said during a Saturday news conference. The announcement marked the grim conclusion of an operation that began Tuesday when a 900,000-gallon tank containing a hazardous chemical known as white liquor ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave plant.
The blast, which occurred around 7:15 a.m. during a shift change, killed 11 people, including two who were initially transported to hospitals but later died. Authorities identified the deceased as Gilberto Bernal, 52; Tyler Covington, 29; Brad Covington, 27; Robert Wilson, 48; Dale Miller, 54; Jared Ammons, 35; Braydon Finkas, 38; Clinton Duran, 26; John Forsberg, 51; Norman Barlow, 58; and Dillon Miller.
White liquor, a corrosive mixture containing sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate, is commonly used in the paper-pulping process. Its release created a hazardous scene that required careful decontamination and environmental monitoring.
Kurt Stitch, deputy chief with Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue, described the recovery effort as “methodical and incredibly difficult for everyone involved.” Crews moved heavy debris indoors and used drone flyovers to ensure nothing was overlooked, he said. The operation also involved diluting high-pH water in nearby ditches contaminated by chemical runoff. Officials noted improvements in pH levels over the weekend, though the ditch system sits atop an aquifer that supplies Longview’s drinking water. Authorities stressed that contaminated water was diverted away from the wellhead area and that the city’s water remains safe.
The incident has raised questions about industrial safety protocols, particularly around the storage of hazardous chemicals near residential water sources. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board and local officials are investigating the cause of the implosion, which remains unknown. The plant, owned by Japan-based Nippon Dynawave, has temporarily halted operations.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for our community,” Longview Mayor Mary Alice Wallace said in a statement. “We are focused on supporting the families and ensuring a thorough investigation.”