Recovery of Victims Completed After Washington State Paper Mill Explosion

Officials announced that all missing victims from the paper mill explosion in Washington state have been recovered. Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig confirmed at a news conference that the ninth and final missing employee was located on the fifth day following the incident.

The explosion, caused by a chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave plant in Longview, occurred on Tuesday. The incident resulted in two victims being hospitalized who later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total death count to 11 individuals. The individuals who lost their lives have been identified as Gilberto Bernal, 52; Tyler Covington, 29; Brad Covington, 27; Robert Wilson, 48; Dale Miller, 54; Jared Ammons, 35; Braydon Finkas, 38; Clinton Duran, 26; John Forsberg, 51; Norman Barlow, 58; and Dillon Miller.

A vigil was held for those who died in the tragedy. The incident took place as a tank intended to contain 900,000 gallons of white liquor—a hazardous chemical mixture including sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate used in paper pulping—imploded during a shift change at 7:15 a.m.

Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Kurt Stitch described the recovery process as ‘methodical and incredibly difficult.’ It involved moving heavy debris and employing drone technology to ensure thoroughness. In response to chemical contamination, officials diluted high-pH water in the ditches surrounding the area. Improvement in pH levels has been noted, ensuring that Longview’s water supply remains unaffected as contaminants were diverted from the city’s wellhead and aquifer.

The cause of the tank’s implosion remains under investigation.