Trending Now - Death Toll Rises as New Footage Reveals Chemical Plant Ruins

WHO:

NBC News - Nippon Paper Industries plant in Washington.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Washington Governor Bob Ferguson.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Brian Wood, director of support services for Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Cowlitz County Coroner Dana Tucker.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Longview Mayor Erik Halvorson.

WHAT:

NBC News - Two people were killed and at least nine are still missing following the implosion of a chemical tank at the Nippon Paper Industries plant.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - The confirmed death toll from the chemical tank rupture has climbed to two, with nine presumed dead.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Rescue crews are working to stabilize the site after the release of tens of thousands of gallons of a caustic chemical.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Seven people were hospitalized following the chemical release, including one firefighter.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has opened an investigation into the incident.

WHERE:

NBC News - Nippon Paper Industries plant in Longview, Washington.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - The chemical release reached the Columbia River.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Longview, Washington.

WHEN:

Oregon Public Broadcasting - The chemical disaster occurred on May 26, 2026.

Oregon Public Broadcasting - The second confirmed death was reported on May 27, 2026.

WHY:

Oregon Public Broadcasting - The cause of the disaster is still unknown, and federal and state investigators are trying to understand the failure of a 900,000-gallon chemical tank.

HOW:

Oregon Public Broadcasting - Recovery efforts are described as slow, methodical, and deliberate due to concerns about the structural stability of the collapsed tank and ongoing threats from corrosive chemicals.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 14:18 UTC)

Tragedy struck at the Nippon Paper Industries plant in Longview, Washington, where two people have been confirmed dead and at least nine others are still missing following the implosion of a chemical tank. Rescue crews are currently working to stabilize the site after tens of thousands of gallons of a caustic chemical were released, and seven individuals, including one firefighter, have been hospitalized. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has launched an investigation into the incident, as the cause of the disaster remains unknown and recovery efforts are being conducted with caution due to the risks posed by the collapsed tank and the corrosive chemicals involved.