The remains of all missing victims from the paper mill explosion in Washington state have been recovered. Officials announced on Saturday that the final missing employee has been found.
“Today, on day five of this incident, I can share that we have recovered the ninth and final missing employee of this incident,” stated Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig during a news conference.
Recovery efforts began on Tuesday following the implosion and rupture of a chemical tank at the Nippon Dynawave plant in Longview.
Two victims were taken to hospitals, where they later died. This raised the death toll to 11. The victims have been identified as follows:
- Gilberto Bernal, 52
- Tyler Covington, 29
- Brad Covington, 27
- Robert Wilson, 48
- Dale Miller, 54
- Jared Ammons, 35
- Braydon Finkas, 38
- Clinton Duran, 26
- John Forsberg, 51
- Norman Barlow, 58
- Dillon Miller
The tank, designed to contain 900,000 gallons of white liquor, a hazardous chemical mixture used in paper pulping, imploded at 7:15 a.m. during a shift change.
Kurt Stitch, deputy chief with Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue, described the recovery as “methodical and incredibly difficult.” The process involved moving heavy items and using drones to ensure nothing was overlooked.
Efforts have been made to dilute high-pH water contaminated by the spill. Improvements in the pH levels in the ditch system have been noted. The ditch sits above an aquifer and well field that supplies Longview’s drinking water. Officials assure the public that the water is safe as contaminated water was diverted from the wellhead.
The investigation into the cause of the implosion continues.
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