In a tragic incident that has gripped the community of Longview, Washington, the remains of all 11 victims from the Nippon Dynawave paper mill explosion have been recovered. The announcement was made by Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig during a news conference on Saturday, marking the fifth day since the catastrophic event.

Details of the Incident

The explosion occurred on Tuesday morning during a shift change at the plant. A chemical tank designed to hold 900,000 gallons of a hazardous substance known as white liquor imploded, leading to the disaster. White liquor, used in the paper-pulping process, contains sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate.

The victims, whose ages ranged from 26 to 58, were identified as Gilberto Bernal, Tyler Covington, Brad Covington, Robert Wilson, Dale Miller, Jared Ammons, Braydon Finkas, Clinton Duran, John Forsberg, Norman Barlow, and Dillon Miller. Two of the victims were initially transported to hospitals but later succumbed to their injuries.

Recovery Efforts and Safety Measures

Recovery efforts were described as methodical and challenging by Kurt Stitch, deputy chief with Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue. The process involved moving heavy debris and conducting drone flyovers to ensure no area was overlooked. Additionally, officials worked to dilute high-pH water in ditches contaminated by the chemical spill. The ditches are located above an aquifer and well field that supplies Longview’s drinking water. Authorities assured the public that the contaminated water was diverted away from the wellhead area, maintaining the safety of the city’s water supply.

The investigation into the cause of the tank’s implosion is ongoing, as officials seek to understand the factors that led to this devastating event. The community continues to mourn the loss of the victims while awaiting further details from the investigation.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.