Cause of death released for 11 victims in Washington chemical tank rupture
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Key Points:
- Eleven people died from chemical burns following a chemical tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill in Longview, Washington, on May 26.
- The tank, containing 900,000 gallons of white liquor used in paper-making, catastrophically failed, causing a blast that damaged much of the facility.
- Autopsies revealed that most victims died from alkaline chemical burns caused by sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, with some also suffering blunt force injuries or asphyxia.
- The Cowlitz County Coroner ruled all deaths accidental, describing the event as one of the community's most significant tragedies since the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.
- State and federal agencies are investigating the cause of the incident to prevent future occurrences.