A 900,000‑gallon tank of white liquor collapsed at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, Washington, on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring nine others, including a firefighter, according to local authoriites. The implosion left the plant’s 1,000‑employee workforce in shock, and crews are now searching for nine missing workers amid the wreckage.

900,000‑Gallon White Liquor Tank Buckles, Killing One

The tank, holding a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, ruptured and collapsed on one side, releasing a highly destructive chemical. The incident occurred in a plant that produces kraft paper for packaging, shopping bags and other products. The plant sits along the Columbia River next to other timber, paper and chemical businesses.

Nine Missing Workers: Search Efforts Resume

Crews are set to resume searching for nine workers who were inside the tank at the time of the implosion. Authorities have said there is no hope of finding more survivors, but the search continues under daylight conditions because of the dangers posed by the remaining chemical.

White Liquor: A Hazardous Chemical in the Paper Industry

White liquor, the liquid that was stored in the tank, is used with heat to break down wood into kraft paper... The plant’s 1,000 employees produce material for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates and cartons. The plant’s location along the river places it near other timber, paper and chemcial businesses.

Unknown Cause, No Threat to Longview Community

The cause of the implosion remains unknown, but authorities have said there is no threat to the community of about 40,000 people. Safety complaints were filed against Nippon Dynawave in March and May, but the state’s labor and industries department said both were unrelated to the current situation.

Past Violations and Fines Highlight Safety Concerns

Nippon Dynawave, a subsidiary of Japan‑based Nippon Paper Group, has been fined $3,400 for three separate health and safety violations found by Washington Department of Labor and Industries inspectors since the start of 2021, according to the department’s online database.. Just over 40 people died between January 2021 and mid‑October 2023 as a result of hazardous chemical incidents in the U.S., according to Boone.

What’s Still Unknown?

Why did the 900,000‑gallon tank implode? What safety protocols were in place to prevent such a collapse? And how will the company address the nine missing workers and the potential environmental impact of the spill?