Cause of Death Released for 11 Workers Killed in Longview Paper Mill Disaster

LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON — Authorities have released the official cause of death for the 11 employees who lost their lives in the catastrophic industrial accident at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co., providing grieving families with long-awaited answers following one of the deadliest workplace disasters in recent Washington state history.

According to officials, all 11 victims died from fatal alkaline chemical burns after a massive storage tank containing a substance known as “white liquor” ruptured at the Longview paper mill. The deaths have been officially ruled accidental.

A Routine Workday Turned Into Tragedy

The disaster unfolded when a 900,000-gallon tank holding white liquor — a highly caustic chemical solution used in the paper manufacturing process — suddenly failed.

The rupture released a large volume of the corrosive substance into the facility, creating devastating conditions for employees working nearby.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but for 11 workers, rescue efforts came too late.

What Is White Liquor?

Despite its name, white liquor is not an alcoholic beverage. It is an industrial chemical mixture commonly used in pulp and paper production and typically contains substances such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide.

Exposure to the highly alkaline solution can cause severe chemical burns and life-threatening injuries within moments.

Investigators believe the workers were exposed to the substance following the catastrophic failure of the tank.

Families Finally Receive Answers

The release of the official findings marks an important step for the families of those who died, many of whom have spent months seeking clarity about exactly what happened to their loved ones.

While the determination provides some answers, it does little to ease the immense grief left behind.

Behind every victim was a parent, spouse, sibling, friend, or coworker whose absence continues to be deeply felt.

Investigation Continues

Although the deaths have been classified as accidental, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tank rupture remain ongoing.

Regulatory agencies and workplace safety officials continue examining factors that may have contributed to the disaster, including equipment conditions, maintenance records, and safety procedures at the facility.

The findings could ultimately lead to recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Remembering the Victims

The Longview community has rallied around the affected families, honoring the workers whose lives were lost while simply doing their jobs.

As investigations continue, many hope the lessons learned from this devastating event will help strengthen workplace protections and ensure that no other families endure a similar loss.

Eleven workers went to work and never returned home.
Eleven families continue to mourn unimaginable losses.
And a community continues searching for answers in the wake of tragedy.

The investigation into the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. disaster remains ongoing.