In brief
On Tuesday, a massive chemical tank at a Longview paper mill collapsed, unleashing caustic white liquor that devastated the plant and surrounding area. Eleven workers were killed, including brothers and a beloved trivia champion, while eight others suffered burns or inhalation injuries. Search teams are methodically recovering remains, decontaminating victims and equipment, and cooperating with engineers to assess structural safety. Despite the intense spill, officials say air and drinking water remain safe, and the EPA reports minimal river contamination.
Crews on Friday recovered the remains of one more victim of a massive chemical tank rupture at a paper mill in Washington state, leaving two workers still unaccounted for. Of the 11 workers killed in the disaster, two brothers who worked together at the plant, a trivia champ, and an electrician who helped his farmer neighbors cut hay were among those lost.The collapse occurred Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. plant in Longview, a city along the Columbia River. A tank holding more than 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of white liquor—a caustic chemical used to break down wood for paper—failed, flooding the site with a liquid capable of overturning pickup trucks and damaging nearby structures. Contact with the white liquor causes severe burns, while inhalation of its vapors can lead to lung injury.Search operations are ongoing and have been methodical due to the lingering hazards. Longview fire battalion chief Matt Amos reported that crews are steering clear of the area nearest the tank and working with engineers to determine which damaged buildings may be safely entered. They must decontaminate recovered bodies before handing them to the coroner’s office, and workers tackling the search also undergo decontamination.Authorities have not released the names of all victims, but those who were confirmed have become the focus of online fundraisers supporting their families. Victims included brothers Tyler and Brad Covington (whose family noted Tyler’s role as a provider and protector), Grandfather Gilbert Bernal (an electrician recognized for his generosity), John Forsberg (a witty trivia host whose trophy has been renamed the Forsberg Cup), and Jeffrey Doran (the spiritual heart of his family). Other victims, such as Jared Ammons and Braydon Finkas, contributed to the community’s economic and social life.The spill did not contaminate air or drinking water in Longview. With the mill’s parent company, Nippon Paper Group, offering condolences, the community—built on timber and paperwork—continues to process the shock of the incident. Chairman of the Environmental Protection Agency confirmed no noticeable effect on the river, though minor contamination was observed.As crews collect remains, they remain cautious, following safety protocols and continuing to coordinate with state agencies to safely recover all victims. The investigation into the cause of the disaster is still underway.
