Authorities in Washington state have recovered the remains of another victim from the devastating chemical tank rupture at a paper mill in Longview, bringing the death toll to nine, with two workers still unaccounted for. The disaster occurred on Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company, where a tank containing over 500,000 gallons of a wood-processing chemical mixture collapsed, releasing a flood of caustic liquid.
Details of the Tragedy
The collapse of the tank, which held a substance known as white liquor, unleashed a wave of chemicals powerful enough to overturn pickup trucks and damage buildings at the site. White liquor causes severe burns on contact and lung damage if vapors are inhaled. The recovery efforts have been slow and methodical due to the ongoing dangers posed by residual chemicals and other industrial hazards, according to Matt Amos, Longview fire battalion chief.
Six bodies were found on Thursday, and the search continues for the remaining two workers. Crews are avoiding a zone closest to the tank and working with engineers to determine which damaged structures are safe to enter. All recovered remains must be decontaminated before being turned over to the coroner’s office for identification, and searchers must also decontaminate themselves.
Victims Remembered
Although authorities have not officially released the names of the deceased, friends and relatives have begun to identify them. Among those presumed dead are brothers Tyler and Brad Covington, who worked together at the plant. An online fundraiser for Tyler Covington’s family notes he leaves behind a wife and three children. Gilbert Bernal, a grandfather and electrician, was the first confirmed death, described by his friend Todd Cornwell as one of the most genuinely good people he ever met. John Forsberg, a regular trivia competitor, was known for his wit and kindness; the local trivia trophy will be renamed the Forsberg Cup in his honor. Other victims include CJ Doran, 26, described as the spiritual leader of his family; Jared Ammons, who had two children and another on the way; and Braydon Finkas, an electrician who helped farmers and hosted exchange students.
Investigation and Response
The tragedy is one of the deadliest U.S. workplace accidents in recent decades, and the cause is under investigation. Eight people were injured, including a firefighter, with some suffering burns or inhalation injuries. Nippon Paper Group, the mill’s Japanese parent company, expressed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. The community has held vigils and fundraisers to support the victims’ families.
