Death toll rises to 11 after injured worker dies following Washington tank failure at mill

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — A worker who was critically injured in a tank failure at a Washington state pulp mill earlier this month has died, bringing the total number of presumed fatalities in the industrial accident to 11, authorities said Thursday.

The worker, whose identity has not been publicly released, had been hospitalized since the incident at the Nippon Paper Industries mill in Longview. The company and local emergency officials initially reported eight deaths the day of the failure, with three additional workers succumbing to their injuries in the days since.

Investigators with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries are probing what caused the tank to rupture. Preliminary findings suggest a potential structural failure in the pressure vessel, though officials have not ruled out mechanical or operational factors. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has also deployed a team to the site.

The accident has reignited debate over aging industrial infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest. Industry analysts note that pulp and paper mills often operate equipment beyond its intended lifespan, and safety audits have flagged similar risks at other facilities nationwide. Community members and union representatives have called for stricter oversight and mandatory third-party inspections of pressure vessels at such plants.

Nippon Paper Industries issued a statement expressing condolences and pledging full cooperation with investigators. The company has suspended operations at the mill pending the inquiry. Local officials have declared a state of emergency to coordinate response and recovery efforts.

As the community mourns, the tragedy underscores the human cost of industrial accidents and renews pressure on regulators to enforce robust safety standards in the region's manufacturing sector.