Bodies of nine missing people recovered after chemical tank implosion in Washington state
LONGVIEW, Wash. (NBC, KYMA) - In Longview, Washington, the recovery effort at the Nippon Dynawave plant is complete.
Five days after a chemical tank imploded, officials say all 11 victims have been identified, and investigators now begin the long process of determining what went wrong.
Heartbreak in Longview as officials announce all 11 people killed in this week's mill disaster have been identified:
- Gilbert Bernal, 52, of Kelso
- Tyler Covington, 29, of Castle Rock
- Brad Covington, 27, of Castle Rock
- Robert Wilson, 48, of Clatskanie
- Dale Miller, 54, of Portland
- Jared Ammons, 35, of Longview
- Braydon Finkas, 38, of Cathlamet
- Clinton Doran, 26, of Kelso
- John Forsberg, 51, of Longview
- Norman Barlow, 58, of Vancouver
- Dillon Miller, no age given
"This work has been intense it's been methodical and incredibly difficult for everyone that's been involved," said Deputy Chief Kurt Stich with Cowlitz Fire & Rescue.
At 11 a.m. Pacific Tuesday, emergency responders raced to the Nippon Dynawave plant after a chemical tank imploded, spewing a corrosive chemical solution known as white liquor.
Multiple workers were injured while others remained unaccounted for in the aftermath.
But dangerous conditions inside the mill prevented crews from immediately reaching some of those closest to the blast.
The recovery effort stretched five days.
"It was equally important that recovery efforts were conducted in a way that preserve the integrity of the scene and ensures that investigators have the ability to fully determine what happened and get these families and this community the answers they deserve," said Scott Tift with the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers.
The blast tore through portions of the mill, scattering debris through office areas, leaving conditions too dangerous for crews to immediately access some parts of the facility.
"These were not just employees or union members, they were fathers, sons, friends, mentors and coworkers who helped build this facility and this community every single day," Tift expressed. "We honor their lives, we stand with their families they leave behind, and we remain committed to stand with this community through every step of the investigation and cleanup process ahead."
And now, the community finally knows the toll the blast has taken as investigators work to learn what caused what is likely the deadliest industrial accident in modern Washington state history.
