Second person hurt in Longview paper mill tank implosion dies; presumed death toll now 11

Key Points:

• A second person injured in a chemical tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. paper mill in Longview, Washington, has died, raising the presumed death toll to 11, including nine missing individuals.
• The ruptured tank, containing about 900,000 gallons of white liquor (a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in paper manufacturing), buckled and spilled its contents into a drainage ditch, causing injuries and delaying search efforts due to safety concerns.
• Authorities have confirmed no impact on local air or drinking water safety but urge residents to avoid ditches and dikes near the site; search operations for missing workers are ongoing but limited to daylight hours.
• The cause of the tank rupture remains unknown, with safety complaints unrelated to the incident previously filed against the mill; Nippon Paper Group expressed condolences and is cooperating with investigations.
• The paper mill, employing about 1,000 people and producing various paper products, is a key local employer, and the community is grappling with the tragedy as families await answers.