Washington: 11 Tote bei Nippon-Dynawave-Unglück – Sicherheitsprüfungen gestartet
Published on 07/03/2026 at 08:09 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A catastrophic tank implosion at a Washington state paper mill that killed 11 workers has triggered a criminal investigation and industry-wide safety inspections across the state's kraft paper mills.
The May 26, 2026, incident at the Nippon Dynawave facility in Longview occurred when a tank holding more than 500,000 gallons of caustic liquid imploded, killing 11 workers and injuring eight others. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has been granted concurrent jurisdiction by the Cowlitz County prosecutor to investigate potential criminal activity related to the disaster.
The Attorney General's office said the probe aims to determine the cause of the tank failure and ensure similar tragedies are prevented in the future.
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Statewide Inspections Underway
In response to the tragedy, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has launched inspections at the state's remaining kraft paper mills, including the Smurfit Westrock facility in Longview and the Port Townsend Paper Company. Investigators are focusing on tank maintenance, hazard assessments, and Environmental Protection Agency reports.
The state has also established a targeted enforcement programme for seven non-kraft mills, scheduled to run through February 2027. L&I officials noted the inspections could take up to six months, with a formal report on the Nippon Dynawave incident expected by November 22.
Site Status and Recent Developments
Emergency status at the Nippon Dynawave site officially ended on July 2, 2026 — 37 days after the initial collapse. Decontamination of surrounding ground and equipment has been completed, and production at the facility remains suspended. Environmental monitoring by the EPA has reported no detections of hydrogen sulfide since early June.
Work at the site was briefly interrupted on July 1, when a forklift operator suffered a medical emergency. The incident triggered a hazardous materials response after an overturned sulfuric acid container and odours from the sewer system were reported, though officials confirmed no chemical spill occurred and the area was deemed safe.
History of Safety Concerns
The investigation follows a series of reported safety issues at the Nippon Dynawave facility. Prior to the May disaster, the company had received 54 citations since 2016. Earlier in 2026, a sinkhole was reported at the site, and the facility experienced a fire and a leak involving the same tank system in 2023.
The May 26 rupture not only caused significant loss of life but also released caustic "white liquor" that killed approximately 2,000 fish in the local ecosystem. Cleanup efforts recently concluded with the removal of the final 12,000 gallons of liquid from a secondary tank, designated Tank G, which has now been secured.
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While the criminal probe is in its early stages, state regulators have the authority to issue citations and fines based on the findings of the ongoing safety inspections. Companies have 15 days to appeal any enforcement actions resulting from these reviews.
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