Deadly Explosion Rocks Longview Pulp Mill in Washington State

Emergency sirens echoed across Longview, Washington, after a high-pressure chemical tank ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill early Tuesday. The incident claimed several lives and left others fighting for survival after being doused in scalding white liquor. Firefighters described chaotic scenes inside the plant as they pulled injured workers from pools of corrosive liquid. Paramedics set up a field triage area outside the gates before rushing victims to nearby trauma centers. Governor Bob Ferguson issued a statement of condolence and confirmed that state environmental officials had arrived to monitor air and water quality along the Columbia River. He pledged full state support for the ongoing rescue and recovery effort. Authorities reassured nearby communities that no toxic plume had escaped the facility, though they maintained a safety perimeter to protect responders. The plant, which sits on the Washington-Oregon line, remains shut down while crews investigate the cause. Company representatives and local regulators have formed a joint task force to review maintenance records and safety protocols. Results of that review are expected in the coming days.