Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in the US state of Washington witnessed a major industrial accident on Tuesday after a massive chemical storage tank containing nearly a million gallons of corrosive liquid imploded and collapsed, killing at least one worker and leaving nine others unaccounted for, authorities said.
The incident occurred at the company’s paper mill in Longview, where emergency officials described the situation as primarily a recovery operation with little hope of finding survivors. Nine other people were injured in the accident, some critically, with victims suffering burns and inhalation injuries. A firefighter responding to the scene was also among the injured.
According to Scott Goldstein, rescue operations were suspended until Wednesday morning due to concerns that the damaged tank could leak more hazardous chemicals or collapse further. Officials said the tank still contained around 90,000 gallons of “white liquor”, a highly caustic industrial chemical mixture used in paper manufacturing.
Also read: Singapore court sentences Byju’s founder for 6 months
Authorities said there was no immediate danger to the public despite the spill. The chemical reportedly flowed into a nearby drainage ditch, prompting environmental teams to assess potential impacts. The cause of the implosion remains under investigation. Around 40 firefighters, paramedics and hazardous materials specialists responded to the emergency, which officials described as a “mass casualty scene”.
The facility, which employs nearly 1,000 workers and has operated since 1953, is a major part of the local economy in Longview, a city historically linked to the timber and paper industries.
The tragedy also drew attention to previous workplace safety concerns at the company. State records show that the plant, owned by Japan-based Nippon Paper Group, had faced several health and safety violations in recent years, including incidents involving inadequate fall protection and workplace accidents. Officials, however, said earlier complaints filed against the company were unrelated to Tuesday’s collapse.
US officials, including Patty Murray, called for a thorough investigation into the disaster, saying the community deserves answers about how the catastrophic accident occurred.
Follow us
