Photo: Mathieu Lewis-Rolland / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Six of the nine missing workers have been found dead after a chemical tank ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging paper mill in Longview, Washington. The disaster, which took place on Tuesday (May 26), is now considered one of the deadliest workplace accidents in the United States in recent years and the worst industrial disaster in Washington state's modern history.
Authorities said Thursday (May 28) that a total of 11 people are believed to have died, including the three workers who remain missing and are presumed dead. Eight others, including a firefighter, were injured during the incident, which released more than 500,000 gallons of caustic chemicals used to process wood into paper. The collapse happened during a shift change, with the six recovered workers found in an area where employees gather before starting their shift, according to Longview fire battalion chief Matt Amos.
The search and recovery effort has been slow due to the dangerous conditions, including chemical hazards and unstable structures. Crews are coordinating with engineers to determine when it is safe to enter damaged buildings, and each recovered victim and searcher must be decontaminated before leaving the site. "The priority is ensuring responder safety while treating every victim with the greatest dignity, care, and respect possible," Longview fire chief Brad Hannig said in a press conference, as cited by People.
Authorities have not officially released the names of the victims, but family and friends have begun identifying loved ones online and organizing fundraisers. Among those confirmed dead is Gilbert Bernal, an electrician and grandfather. "He was one of the most genuinely good people that you’ve ever met," his friend Todd Cornwell told The Associated Press. Other presumed victims include CJ Doran, John Forsberg, Jared Ammons, and Braydon Finkas, all described by loved ones as dedicated family members and community figures.
The cause of the tank's rupture is still under investigation. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has opened an investigation into the accident. The Washington State Department of Ecology, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are involved in the response and monitoring air and water quality.
The mill’s parent company, Nippon Paper Group, expressed condolences and pledged support for the bereaved families. The recovery operation will continue as conditions allow, and the investigation into the cause of the disaster remains ongoing.