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.

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.

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Authorities said there is no hope of finding additional survivors after the implosion Tuesday at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility, which also injured eight other people, including a firefighter. The likely death toll rose to 11 after a second injured person died Wednesday, according to local fire officials and Associated Press reporting.

The rupture involved a tank containing more than 500,000 gallons of “white liquor,” a highly caustic chemical mixture used in paper manufacturing. Officials said the tank was more than half full when one side buckled during a morning shift change, causing the collapse and a large chemical spill across the facility.

Search Operations Shift to Recovery Mission

Recovery operations were temporarily delayed because of fears the damaged structure could collapse further and release additional chemicals. Fire officials later determined the tank was stable enough for crews to continue searching during daylight hours.

“We do not know where all nine are,” Cowlitz County fire chief Scott Goldstein said during a briefing cited by AP.

Authorities said some injured workers suffered burns and inhalation injuries. Emergency teams also warned that hazardous chemicals had entered drainage systems connected to the Columbia River, although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported no immediate effects on drinking water or air quality in Longview.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said officials were preparing for the possibility that the incident could become the deadliest industrial disaster in modern Washington state history.

Federal Investigation Underway

The cause of the rupture remains unclear. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announced it was launching a federal investigation into the disaster to determine how the tank failed and whether broader industrial safety measures need strengthening.

The tank could reportedly hold up to 900,000 gallons of white liquor, a chemical solution made primarily of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used to break down wood pulp for paper production.

The sprawling facility, located along the Columbia River in southwestern Washington, employs roughly 1,000 workers and manufactures packaging materials, tissue products, cups, cartons, and printing paper.

Community Mourns Missing Workers

Families and residents gathered for vigils Tuesday evening as the Longview community waited for more information about those still unaccounted for. Authorities have not yet publicly released the identities of all victims and missing workers.

One of the first confirmed fatalities was identified by friends as Gilbert Bernal, an electrician at the plant. Friends described him as active in church and community support efforts.

The disaster comes amid renewed scrutiny over industrial chemical storage and plant safety after another recent chemical emergency in Southern California prompted temporary evacuations earlier this week.

Officials said the investigation into the Longview disaster could take months as federal and state agencies examine the structural failure, chemical handling procedures, and emergency response operations.

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