TUESDAY - 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.
The disaster, which unfolded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. plant in Longview, a city along the Columbia River, began with the collapse of a tank that stored more than 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of white liquor—a caustic mixture used to break down wood pulp for making paper. The impact launched a wave of corrosive chemicals that flipped pickup trucks, damaged surrounding structures, and forced workers to evacuate.
The chemical spill posed severe burns on direct contact and lung irritation if vapors were inhaled. The rapid dispersion compounded the danger, prompting a multi‑agency emergency response that has become increasingly methodical.
Six bodies were recovered the previous Thursday, and crews have been systematically clearing the lane closest to the tank, working with engineers to determine which nearby buildings can be safely entered. The most recent recovery brings the death toll to 11, including two brothers who worked side by side at the plant—Tyler and Brad Covington—an avid trivia competitor, and an electrician who supported local farmers.
The deceased also include Gilbert Bernal, a grandfather and plant electrician who was the first confirmed death, John Forsberg, known for his wit and sportsmanship, CJ Doran, a spiritual leader of his family, Jared Ammons, who was a father of two and expecting a third child, and Braydon Finkas, a community‑devoted electrician who had recently relocated to Cathlamet.
The two missing workers are believed to be in the vicinity of the disaster but have not yet been located. Their families and community members have formed online fundraisers to support the bereaved.
In the weeks that followed the rupture, the Pacific Northwest has remained largely protected from widespread contamination. Authorities have confirmed that the spill did not compromise drinking water or the air in and around Longview, a town of approximately 40,000 residents that has longstanding ties to paper and timber production.
Crews flushed water from ditches near the plant and diluted it before pumping it into the river, ensuring that the Contaminated materials could be contained. Some contamination has entered the Columbia River, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported no measurable impact on the ecosystem.
Nippon Paper Group, the parent company, issued an updated statement Friday, offering “heartfelt sympathies” to affected families and indicating a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the tank failure.
“This event is a stark reminder of the need for stringent safety protocols in chemical processing operations,” said Matt Amos, Longview Fire Battalion Chief, who stressed that crews must decontaminate themselves as well as the bodies they recover. He added that the ongoing work will continue until all remains are safely recovered and identified.
Community leaders noted the enduring legacy of the paper industry in Longview. Many residents work at or have family ties to the Nippon Dynawave plant, a sprawling facility that employs about 1,000 people and produces tissues, printing paper, cups, plates and cartons.
The incident has raised questions about how safely chemical storage tank infrastructure should be maintained, and many call for a review of safety regulations at similar facilities across the country. The investigation into this tragedy will also examine the plant’s safety record and maintenance schedule.
At the front line of the ongoing recovery, sole survivors and colleagues alike are coping with the emotional aftermath. A GoFundMe page set up for John Forsberg’s two children cites him as “wicked smart” and “always the first to cheer for another team.” Community members continue to provide support to the families as the search for the remaining victims continues.
The tragedy has left the Longview area in shock and resilience, and officials will keep the public updated as the investigation unfolds and more remains are recovered.}
The disaster, which unfolded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. plant in Longview, a city along the Columbia River, began with the collapse of a tank that stored more than 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) of white liquor—a caustic mixture used to break down wood pulp for making paper. The impact launched a wave of corrosive chemicals that flipped pickup trucks, damaged surrounding structures, and forced workers to evacuate.
The chemical spill posed severe burns on direct contact and lung irritation if vapors were inhaled. The rapid dispersion compounded the danger, prompting a multi‑agency emergency response that has become increasingly methodical.
Six bodies were recovered the previous Thursday, and crews have been systematically clearing the lane closest to the tank, working with engineers to determine which nearby buildings can be safely entered. The most recent recovery brings the death toll to 11, including two brothers who worked side by side at the plant—Tyler and Brad Covington—an avid trivia competitor, and an electrician who supported local farmers.
The deceased also include Gilbert Bernal, a grandfather and plant electrician who was the first confirmed death, John Forsberg, known for his wit and sportsmanship, CJ Doran, a spiritual leader of his family, Jared Ammons, who was a father of two and expecting a third child, and Braydon Finkas, a community‑devoted electrician who had recently relocated to Cathlamet.
The two missing workers are believed to be in the vicinity of the disaster but have not yet been located. Their families and community members have formed online fundraisers to support the bereaved.
In the weeks that followed the rupture, the Pacific Northwest has remained largely protected from widespread contamination. Authorities have confirmed that the spill did not compromise drinking water or the air in and around Longview, a town of approximately 40,000 residents that has longstanding ties to paper and timber production.
Crews flushed water from ditches near the plant and diluted it before pumping it into the river, ensuring that the Contaminated materials could be contained. Some contamination has entered the Columbia River, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported no measurable impact on the ecosystem.
Nippon Paper Group, the parent company, issued an updated statement Friday, offering “heartfelt sympathies” to affected families and indicating a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the tank failure.
“This event is a stark reminder of the need for stringent safety protocols in chemical processing operations,” said Matt Amos, Longview Fire Battalion Chief, who stressed that crews must decontaminate themselves as well as the bodies they recover. He added that the ongoing work will continue until all remains are safely recovered and identified.
Community leaders noted the enduring legacy of the paper industry in Longview. Many residents work at or have family ties to the Nippon Dynawave plant, a sprawling facility that employs about 1,000 people and produces tissues, printing paper, cups, plates and cartons.
The incident has raised questions about how safely chemical storage tank infrastructure should be maintained, and many call for a review of safety regulations at similar facilities across the country. The investigation into this tragedy will also examine the plant’s safety record and maintenance schedule.
At the front line of the ongoing recovery, sole survivors and colleagues alike are coping with the emotional aftermath. A GoFundMe page set up for John Forsberg’s two children cites him as “wicked smart” and “always the first to cheer for another team.” Community members continue to provide support to the families as the search for the remaining victims continues.
The tragedy has left the Longview area in shock and resilience, and officials will keep the public updated as the investigation unfolds and more remains are recovered.}
