Recovery Efforts Resume as 11 Presumed Dead After Washington Chemical Tank Rupture

Eleven people are now presumed dead following a catastrophic chemical tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility in Longview, Washington, which occurred early Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Two fatalities have been confirmed, with nine additional individuals missing and no longer expected to be found alive within the debris. The incident involved a 900,000-gallon tank containing "white liquor," a highly corrosive chemical used in paper pulp production, with over 500,000 gallons reportedly spilling. Several other workers sustained injuries, some critically, and a responding firefighter was also treated and released.

Recovery efforts at the site resumed on Wednesday after initial delays due to concerns over the tank's structural integrity and the presence of hazardous chemicals. Authorities have officially transitioned from a rescue operation to a recovery operation, emphasizing the extremely hazardous environment and the methodical pace required. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has indicated this could be the deadliest industrial tragedy in the state's modern history.

Preliminary testing has confirmed that some of the chemical contamination entered local drainage ditches and the Columbia River, though officials state there is currently no identified negative health impact on surrounding air quality or Longview's drinking water system. Residents have been advised to avoid nearby dikes and waterways. The cause of the tank's failure remains under investigation, with the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board launching a probe into the incident.