On Tuesday morning, a massive tank holding over 500,000 gallons of the caustic white liquor used to break down wood fiber erupted at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, Washington. The rupture generated a slick of chemical that ran down the floor of the mill, engulfed pickup trucks and shattered nearby buildings.
By Friday, rescue teams had found 11 bodies, though six additional workers remained missing. Among those confirmed dead were brothers Tyler and Brad Covington, a trivia champion, and a community electrician who helped local farmers. The victims were identified through a combination of decontamination procedures, forensic analysis and family confirmation.
White liquor is a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate that can cause severe chemical burns on skin contact and severe lung damage if the vapors are inhaled. Matt Amos, Longview Fire Battalion Chief, warned that decontamination of each recovered body and the search crew is a painstaking process because of the corrosive properties of the fluid.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the tank’s failure; investigations will look into possible design flaws, improper maintenance, and other factors. The plant's Japanese parent company, Nippon Paper Group, has released a statement of sympathy to the victims’ families.
Environmental officials confirmed that the spill had not contaminated Longview’s air or drinking water. While some chemicals were detected in the Columbia River, the U.S. EPA reports that the levels are within safe thresholds and pose no significant risk to the region.
A vigil held in R.A. Long Park on May 26, 2026, saw communities come together to mourn and support one another. Images of Diana Winther and Kellie Webber embracing at the ceremony have become symbolic of the solidarity shown by residents.
To date, emergency crews are still reviewing the site, sealing off zones closest to the tank, and determining which adjacently damaged buildings are safe to enter. The workload is intense, and more losses and injuries are possible as the search unfolds.
In addition to the confirmed fatalities, the incident left eight people injured, including a firefighter. These injuries ranged from mild burns to inhalation damage, and all are receiving appropriate medical care.
For more details on the names and stories of the victims, found stories are posted by loved ones and local community members online. Their memorials have become a guide for families and friends to remember the contributions of each lost colleague.
As the community continues to grapple with the tragedy, officials keep stress on safety protocols and the potential need for new regulations governing chemical tank storage.
Sources: AP (Jackie Johnson, Seattle; Mark Rush, Portland), Hallie Golden (Seattle), and John Seewer (Toledo)
