Longview, Washington chemical plant blast kills 11 workers

An implosion of a massive chemical tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, Washington on May 26, 2026 killed 11 employees and injured eight others, including a firefighter. The explosion released hundreds of thousands of gallons of the chemical "white liquor" into the Columbia River, making it the deadliest industrial accident in state history.

All missing victims were recovered by June 2, confirming the death toll. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board opened investigations to determine safety violations. Families of the deceased have retained lawyers and are calling for an impartial probe.

The incident has prompted environmental insurance brokers to field increased inquiries from similar plants about coverage for pollution and general liability, highlighting the complexity and cost of remediation, investigation, and potential lawsuits.