One killed and others missing after chemical explosion at US paper mill
At least one person died and nine others were missing after a chemical tank ruptured at a Washington paper mill. The site remained unstable as crews worked to secure it.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
A major blast at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington, killed at least one person and left nine missing. The rupture involved a large tank of white liquor, a corrosive chemical used in paper-making, and emergency crews said recovery work remained hazardous.
A big tank at a paper factory broke open and caused a dangerous explosion. One person died, nine people were still missing, and others were hurt.
The tank held a harsh chemical used to make paper. It is like a giant bottle of strong cleaner, but much bigger and more dangerous if it leaks or bursts.
Firefighters could not rush in safely because the tank and the site were still unstable. They first had to make the area safer before they could keep searching.
Analysis
What happened
A chemical explosion struck the Nippon Dynawave Packaging paper mill in Longview, Washington, at 07:15 PDT on Tuesday. Authorities said at least one person was killed, nine people were still missing, and nine others were injured. The injured included eight employees and one firefighter.
What caused the blast
The company said the explosion came from a rupture in a tank containing white liquor, a corrosive chemical used in paper production. Officials first thought the tank held about 80,000 gallons, but later said it contained roughly 900,000 gallons. The fire department said about 90,000 gallons may still remain in the damaged tank, which has kept the site unstable.
Response and risks
Fire crews said recovery efforts were complicated by safety concerns and that responders were trying to reinforce and stabilize the area before more work could continue. Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said the scene was stable and that the fire did not threaten the wider community, but the public was told to stay away. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said state ecology workers were sent to help local officials and said he was saddened by the fatalities.
The article also notes the plant previously had a major fire in July 2023 and that it employs about 1,000 people. Officials said no names would be released until families were notified.
Key points
- At least one person was killed and nine people were missing after the blast.
- Nine others were injured, including eight workers and one firefighter.
- The explosion was caused by a rupture in a tank of white liquor at the mill.
- Officials said the damaged tank remained unstable and recovery work was hazardous.
- The plant had also been the scene of a major fire in July 2023.
