Officials have identified all 11 victims of the tank implosion at Nippon Dynawave paper mill, marking the end of a challenging recovery effort.
LONGVIEW, Wash. — Officials announced Saturday that all 11 people killed in this week’s catastrophic tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill have been identified, concluding a five-day recovery operation that officials say was slowed by hazardous conditions inside the damaged facility.
“I can share that we have recovered the ninth and final missing employee of this incident,” Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig said during a news conference.
The implosion occurred shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Longview paper mill. The blast involved a tank containing white liquor, a corrosive chemical solution used in the paper-making process.
The explosion left multiple workers injured and several others unaccounted for as emergency crews confronted extensive damage throughout the facility. Debris filled portions of the mill, including office areas, while concerns about structural stability prevented responders from immediately accessing some sections of the plant.
Officials described the recovery operation as labor-intensive and methodical, requiring responders to navigate hazardous conditions throughout the facility.
“This work has been intense, it’s been methodical and incredibly difficult for everyone that’s been involved,” said Deputy Chief Kurt Stich of Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue.
The operation drew support from a wide range of local, state and federal partners, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard.
“It was equally important that recovery efforts were conducted in a way that preserve the integrity of the scene and ensures that investigators have the ability to fully determine what happened and get these families and community the answers they deserve,” said Scott Tift, national president of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers.
Officials have not released a cause of the implosion and have not said whether the tank showed signs of failure before the incident. They also have not provided a timeline for when investigators might release preliminary findings.
The investigation is expected to continue for weeks or months as authorities examine the damaged equipment and review conditions leading up to the blast.
Environmental monitoring is also ongoing. Federal and state officials said dead fish continue to be found in ditches and canal networks near the facility, with reports increasing in recent days. The Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging the public to report dead fish through its hotline, 1-800-22-BIRDS, to help crews identify affected areas.
Officials said impacts to other wildlife appear limited so far. In addition to fish, responders have reported finding a small number of dead tadpoles and other small wildlife.
With all victims now accounted for, the focus is shifting from recovery to understanding what happened inside the mill and whether any warning signs preceded the disaster.
The tragedy is likely to be remembered as one of the deadliest industrial accidents in modern Washington state history.
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