Explosion at Washington Factory Leaves One Dead and Nine Missing

Explosion at Washington Factory

At Least One Death Confirmed

Nine Workers Missing

A powerful implosion at a pulp and paper plant in Washington state left at least one person dead and nine workers missing, while emergency crews continue search efforts amid conditions considered extremely dangerous.

The incident occurred Tuesday morning at the facilities of Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., located in Longview, a city near the border between Washington and Oregon.

Local authorities reported that the emergency began after a massive industrial tank containing chemicals used for paper processing ruptured.

The explosion prompted a rapid response from firefighters, paramedics, and specialized hazardous materials teams due to the chemical risk inside the plant.

Explosion at Washington Factory Keeps Rescuers on Alert

Washington Factory Explosion Leaves One Dead and Nine Missing-Photo: Shutterstock/This image is for illustrative purposes and does not represent the actual explosion of the incident.

The Longview Fire Department confirmed that eight employees and one firefighter were injured during the accident, although it did not specify whether the person who died was a company worker.

Authorities said the nine missing employees have already been identified and their families have received official notification as recovery efforts continue.

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PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center reported that it received nine patients connected to the incident and confirmed one death at the hospital.

In addition, four people were transferred to a specialized burn center in Portland, Oregon, due to the severity of some injuries. Authorities said several victims suffered burns and chemical inhalation, with injuries ranging from mild to critical.

Tank Remained Unstable Hours After the Implosion

Emergency crews explained that the affected tank stored “white liquor,” a chemical substance used in the production of paper and pulp.

This compound contains sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, highly corrosive and dangerous materials in the event of exposure or leakage.

It was initially reported that the tank had an 80,000-gallon capacity and was partially full, although authorities later updated the figure. According to new reports, the tank contained approximately 900,000 gallons of the chemical at the time of the implosion.

Authorities believe that nearly 90,000 gallons of material could still remain inside the damaged structure, complicating rescue efforts.

A chemical tank imploded and ruptured at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in the US state of Washington resulting in one death and nine injuries, while nine others remained unaccounted for, authorities said https://t.co/eoSOznfGZ7 pic.twitter.com/3O45hMjrFX

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 27, 2026

Investigation Is Just Beginning After the Collapse

Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said it is still too early to determine what caused the implosion.

Goldstein explained that authorities’ immediate priority is to stabilize the tank and ensure the safety of personnel working in the affected area.

As of Tuesday night, the tank was still considered unstable, making entry into the area highly risky for rescuers.

Emergency crews expected to continue the process of stabilizing and removing the chemical on Wednesday to facilitate search operations. Local officials said that, despite the magnitude of the accident, there is no immediate threat to the population near the industrial plant.

At least one person was killed and nine workers were unaccounted for following the implosion of a chemical tank at a pulp and paper mill in southern Washington state. https://t.co/2ZfHPEd2fw

— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 27, 2026

Plant Employs About One Thousand Workers

The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. factory produces materials used for cups, plates, cardboard boxes, printing paper, and other pulp-derived products.

According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, the plant employs approximately one thousand people in the region.

More than 40 firefighters and paramedics responded to the site along with a regional team specialized in hazardous materials incidents.

Authorities said the initial emergency report was received at around 7:19 a.m. local time.

As investigations and the search for the missing continue, the company had not issued public comments about the tragedy that occurred inside its facilities, CBS News reported.