Recovery crews searching the site of a catastrophic chemical tank rupture at a paper mill in Washington state have recovered the remains of six workers, while efforts continued to locate three others still missing after the industrial disaster. Authorities said the explosion and collapse occurred earlier this week at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill in Longview, a city along the Columbia River in southwestern Washington.
Officials from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office stated Thursday that search teams working through unstable debris located six victims inside the damaged recovery boiler tank structure. Emergency responders warned that dangerous conditions at the site, including chemical exposure risks and structural instability, continued to complicate operations.
The rupture happened Wednesday during maintenance work on a large chemical recovery tank used in the paper manufacturing process. Authorities said the blast released highly pressurized materials and caused significant structural collapse inside the facility. Several workers escaped with injuries, while others remained trapped beneath debris after the explosion.
Hazardous Conditions Slow Recovery Efforts
Search operations have involved specialized rescue teams navigating unstable metal structures, toxic residue and lingering heat inside the industrial complex.
Cowlitz County officials said heavy equipment and cranes were brought in to stabilize portions of the collapsed tank before recovery crews could safely enter deeper sections of the site. Associated Press reporting noted that hazardous chemicals commonly used in paper production remained a concern throughout the operation.
Longview Fire Department officials stated that rescuers faced difficult conditions because parts of the tank continued shifting after the initial rupture. Authorities have not publicly identified the victims pending family notification.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee described the incident as a devastating tragedy for workers and their families, while state labor regulators launched an investigation into the cause of the rupture. Official statements confirmed that workplace safety inspectors from Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries were examining maintenance procedures, equipment conditions and compliance records at the facility.
Questions Grow Over Industrial Safety
The disaster has renewed attention on industrial workplace hazards in heavy manufacturing sectors across the United States.
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Paper mills use large chemical recovery boilers and tanks to process wood pulp and recycle industrial chemicals under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. Safety experts cited in previous federal investigations have warned that improper maintenance or pressure failures can trigger catastrophic explosions. (osha.gov)
Federal records show the Longview mill has previously undergone safety inspections, though authorities have not yet indicated whether earlier violations were connected to the current incident. Details regarding the precise cause of the rupture remain under investigation.
The Nippon Dynawave facility, owned by the Japanese paper company Nippon Paper Industries, is one of the region’s largest industrial employers and produces packaging materials for international markets. Operations at the site were suspended following the explosion.
Investigation Continues as Families Await Answers
Authorities said recovery operations would continue until all missing workers are accounted for. Structural engineers and hazardous materials specialists remained at the site Thursday as crews worked through debris from the collapsed tank system.
Labor investigators are expected to review maintenance records, safety protocols and witness accounts as part of the inquiry. Officials have not publicly confirmed whether negligence, equipment failure or operational error contributed to the rupture.
Information regarding the identities of the remaining missing workers and the timeline for completing the recovery effort remained unclear.
