9 things we know about Nippon chemical spill in Longview
A chemical tank containing white liquor ruptured Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. pulp and paper mill in Longview along the Columbia River.
Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help
Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.
The incident caused a massive spill of caustic chemicals used in papermaking and triggered a large emergency response involving local, state and federal agencies.
Here is what we know so far.
Q: How many casualties have occurred?
The number of confirmed fatalities has risen to 11. The Cowlitz County coroner has released the names.
Officials said Saturday that the remains of the last two missing Nippon workers had been recovered.
On Thursday, the remains of six of the nine workers initially reported missing were located. The next day, another was recovered.
Another fatality confirmed after Nippon chemical spill in Longview
Nine people remain missing.
Two workers were previously confirmed dead. Seven workers and one firefighter who responded to the scene were injured. The firefighter has been treated and released from the hospital.
Recovered victims were decontaminated before being transferred to the Cowlitz County Coroner's Office, which notified families.
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson said Wednesday the state was preparing for what could become the "deadliest industrial tragedy in modern Washington state history."
Q: What is white liquor, and why is it dangerous?
An estimated 500,000 gallons of white liquor spilled at the scene. It is a chemical mixture used in the kraft papermaking process to break down wood into pulp.
White liquor contains sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and sodium carbonate.
Emergency officials said the substance can cause second- and third-degree burns through contact and can irritate the respiratory system when inhaled.
Q: Is Longview's drinking water safe?
Officials said Longview's drinking water remains safe.
Public Works Director Chris Collins said crews diverted contaminated water away from the city's wellhead protection area. The city's water is protected because its wells draw from an aquifer about 200 feet below the surface.
Officials said the water treatment system also includes safeguards that would automatically shut down the plant before contaminants could enter the public water supply.
WEB_ONLY_#25847_053026_LNG_Nippon_chemical_spill
Q: Are nearby drainage ditches safe?
Officials warned on Thursday to stay out of potentially contaminated Longview drainage ditches connected to the spill. However, recent flushing has returned most of the ditches to normal pH levels.
Still, people should avoid the ditches. The affected ditches run west from the Cowlitz River near Fishers Lane, along Ocean Beach Highway, south along the east side of Lake Sacajawea, along Oregon Way and west along Industrial Way to the Columbia River. Officials also advised keeping pets away from the water until further notice.
Anyone who comes into contact with contaminated water should wash off immediately and seek medical attention if there are adverse effects. The same advice applies to pets that enter the affected drainage ditches, Public Works Director Chris Collins said.
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson said an estimated dozen carp have died in drainage ditches near the mill.
Longview drainage ditches to avoid after Nippon chemical spill
Chemical runoff from an accident at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. may have contaminated water, officials say.
Q: Did chemicals leak into the Columbia River?
Officials said Thursday it is currently safe to fish and swim in the Columbia River and that no advisories have been issued.
However, they also confirmed that some white liquor seeped into the Columbia River in the moments following Tuesday's rupture.
There have been no reports of wildlife in the river affected by the spill.
The EPA and Washington Department of Ecology are monitoring water discharged to the Columbia River and said current testing shows conditions remain within acceptable limits.
EPA officials also said continuous air monitoring has not detected hydrogen sulfide or other contaminants.
Nippon chemical spill leaks into Columbia River
At least a dozen carp have died near the Tuesday chemical spill, according to Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson.
Q: What investigations are underway?
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board arrived in Longview on Wednesday to begin an independent investigation into the incident. Board chairperson Steve Owens said the agency's goal is to determine how the rupture happened and how similar incidents can be prevented.
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries is also investigating the incident, a process officials said could take up to six months. The agency revealed that Nippon Dynawave was already the subject of two ongoing workplace investigations earlier this year involving a separate chemical tank and a sinkhole complaint.
WA, feds investigate Nippon chemical spill in Longview
Past state investigations include exposing staff to fall hazards and face mask violations during the pandemic.
Q: What challenges are first responders facing?
Recovery operations were slowed because officials initially believed the damaged tank was unstable. Emergency crews later determined the tank contained far less remaining liquid than first feared, lowering estimates from about 90,000 gallons to no more than 25,000 gallons.
Longview Fire Battalion Chief Matt Amos said Thursday that crews don't see the tank as a cause of additional spills, but they avoid the area as they search.
The scene remains hazardous. Amos said they video onsite buildings and ask engineers if they are safe to enter. Electrical hazards are also an issue.
Officials continue to ask the public to stay away from portions of Industrial Way to allow emergency personnel to continue operations safely.
Officials say no more rescues expected though 9 missing after Nippon chemical spill
The white liquor that spilled can cause second- and third-degree burns, officials reported.
Q: How can people help the victims?
The Cowlitz Wahkiakum Central Labor Council has created a relief fund at the Lower Columbia Longshoremen's Federal Credit Union for families affected by the blast, and officials across Washington issued statements of support for workers, first responders and the Longview community.
The council asks that donations for affected families be sent directly to www.cwclc.org.
Labor, trades councils create Nippon fundraiser; AWPPW hall set up as crisis center
The Cowlitz Wahkiakum Central Labor Council is working to get online donation systems up and running by the weekend, but locals can make their deposits now at the credit union's main branch at 629 14th Ave. in Longview.
Multiple fundraisers to support the fund have also been set up.
Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday night at R.A. Long Memorial Park for a vigil honoring the victims and supporting affected families, workers and first responders.
Religious leaders, elected officials and community members spoke about the emotional toll of the disaster. "We are here tonight because we care," said Mark Schmutz of Longview's Northlake Church. "When one of us grieves, we all grieve."
X
Q. How can loved ones of workers seek answers?
People can seek answers about loved ones who were working at the mill during the spill at the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers building at 724 15th Ave. in Longview. Mental health professionals are also available at the hall.
'When one of us grieves, we all grieve': Longview vigil honors Nippon victims
Hundreds gathered at R.A. Long Memorial Park after the estimated 500,000-gallon spill that occured early Tuesday.
Editor's note: This article was prepared with the help of AI using information collected and verified by The Daily News staff. It has been updated by Local News Editor Hayley Day to include the most current information.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 12:41 PM.