Autopsy Results Released for 11 Victims of Nippon Dynawave Chemical Tank Rupture in Washington

The Cowlitz County Coroner's Office and Multnomah County Medical Examiner released autopsy findings for the 11 employees killed in the May 26 chemical tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill in Longview, Washington. Eight victims died solely from alkaline chemical burns caused by exposure to white liquor, a chemical mixture containing sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate. Two additional victims—Robert Wilson and Braydon Finkas—suffered alkaline chemical burns combined with blunt force injuries and asphyxiation, respectively. The 11th victim, Dillon Miller, died at a Portland hospital from sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide burns consistent with the other fatalities. The manner of death for all victims was ruled accidental. The 900,000-gallon tank was approximately two-thirds full at the time of failure, and authorities have described the incident as a catastrophic blast that damaged much of the facility. State and federal agencies, including the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, are investigating to determine the cause and identify any workplace safety violations, with the investigation expected to take approximately six months.