A chemical tank rupture at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, has left at least two people dead and eight people badly injured, and another nine people are missing. The incident, which occurred on the morning of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, has shaken the Longview community and drawn emergency resources from across the region.
The rupture occurred around 7:30 AM at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility, which produces pulp used to make paper products and paperboard for items like cartons and cups. The tank contained a mixture called white liquor, a caustic chemical solution used in paper-making processes that can cause severe burns on contact with skin. While the tank was originally believed to hold around 80,000 gallons of white liquor, that capacity was later revised up to 900,000 gallons, with as much as 90,000 gallons remaining inside the damaged tank.
Known Casualties & Injuries So Far*
At least two people have been confirmed dead, and eight others were injured. Authorities said some victims suffered burns or inhalation injuries, and that the severity of the injuries ranged from minor to critical. Four patients were transferred to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland, Oregon. One of those who died has been identified as Gilbert Bernal, who was a worker at the mill.
As of Tuesday evening, nine employees remained unaccounted for. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced that members of the Washington National Guard would assist with search and recovery efforts and with monitoring air quality.
Chief Scott Goldstein of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue announced Wednesday that the operation will move forward as a recovery, rather than a rescue, indicating that it is believed that the remaining missing people are likely deceased.
(* Details surrounding this incident continue to emerge. This information reflects what was publicly known at the time of writing.)
About the Facility
The Nippon Dynawave facility houses a pulp and paper mill as well as multiple liquid packaging plants, and employs approximately 1,000 people. The facility is operated by Nippon Dynawave Packaging, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Paper Industries, Japan's second-largest paper manufacturer by sales. Nippon Paper Industries acquired the Longview plant from Seattle-based timber company Weyerhaeuser in 2016 for $225 million.
Questions about whether Nippon Paper Industries could be held liable for the implosion at the facility in Longview are now circulating. An investigation will likely be necessary to understand why the implosion occurred, and how so many workers were endangered by it. If it is determined that negligence contributed to the circumstances that led to the implosion, legal action from affected workers and the families of those who lost their lives could soon follow.
Injured in the Nippon Dynawave Incident? We Can Help.
When disasters like this happen at industrial facilities, the people who suffer most are often workers and their families. They deserve answers and accountability. If you or someone you love was injured, or if you lost a family member in the Nippon Dynawave Packaging incident in Longview, you may have the right to pursue legal action against the facility and its parent companies.
At Bishop Legal, we represent injured clients and families throughout Washington, including right here in the Longview community. We have a long record of taking on major corporations and large defendants and winning. We’ve even won multimillion-dollar cases against the Port of Seattle and Sea-Tac. Our team offers free case reviews, is available 24/7, and handles all cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We also offer representation in fluent Spanish.
You deserve to be heard. Contact us today at (206) 260-3316 to tell us what happened.
