{"id":4174,"date":"2026-05-30T00:39:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T00:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/05\/30\/washington-state-crews-find-body-of-another-victim-in-paper-mill-explosion\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T00:39:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T00:39:40","slug":"washington-state-crews-find-body-of-another-victim-in-paper-mill-explosion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=4174","title":{"rendered":"Washington state crews find body of another victim in paper mill explosion"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"dd0b191d-8257-44fc-a0e1-724597fdcbce\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People embrace each other at vigil\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/125d214a024cb2a679dbcaf7943ddcfaff0ecc1b\/0_0_5322_3836\/master\/5322.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"335.16347237880495\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Diana Winther, left, and Kellie Webber, embrace during an evening prayer and vigil in Longview, Washington, in support of the victims of the paper mill disaster.<\/span> Photograph: Karen Ducey\/Seattle Times\/AP<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"dd0b191d-8257-44fc-a0e1-724597fdcbce\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Diana Winther, left, and Kellie Webber, embrace during an evening prayer and vigil in Longview, Washington, in support of the victims of the paper mill disaster.<\/span> Photograph: Karen Ducey\/Seattle Times\/AP<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">Washington state crews find body of another victim in paper mill explosion<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Discovery brings death toll from chemical tank rupture in Longview to nine, with two workers still unaccounted for<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Crews on Friday recovered the remains of one more victim of a massive chemical tank rupture at a paper mill in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/washington-state\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Washington state<\/a>, bringing the death toll to nine people and leaving two workers still unaccounted for.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Among the 11 workers presumed killed in the disaster were two brothers who worked there together, a trivia champ and an electrician who would help his farmer neighbors cut hay.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A tank containing more than 500,000 gallons of a mixture used to break down wood for making paper collapsed on Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company in Longview, a city along the Columbia River.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The collapse expelled a flood of caustic chemicals powerful enough to overturn pickup trucks and damage buildings at the site. The liquid, called white liquor, causes severe burns on contact and lung damage if vapors are inhaled.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The recovery of victims has been slow and methodical, complicated by the dangers posed by the remaining chemicals and other industrial hazards, said Matt Amos, Longview fire battalion chief.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Six bodies were found on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Crews were steering clear of a zone closest to the tank and they have been working with engineers to determine which damaged buildings near it are safe to enter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As they collect the remains, crews must decontaminate them before turning them over to the coroner\u2019s office for identification. The searchers also must decontaminate themselves.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"3461903d-e55e-4bf7-96f7-6efb14a3ea23\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Soldier and first responder\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/cdab397dcc392bb2d6ce2c74ce5f8282fb60cf25\/0_0_8533_5692\/master\/8533.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.84050158209305\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"3461903d-e55e-4bf7-96f7-6efb14a3ea23\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Soldiers and air personnel offer support to first responders on Thursday.<\/span> Photograph: Adeline Witherspoon\/Washington National Guard\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The tragedy is one of the deadliest US workplace accidents in recent decades and its cause is under investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Authorities have not released the names of those who were killed, but friends and relatives had begun confirming their names and posting online fundraisers to support their families.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Among those presumed dead were brothers Tyler and Brad Covington, who worked together at the plant. An online effort to support Tyler Covington\u2019s family noted he \u201cleaves behind his wife and their three beautiful children, who are now trying to navigate a future without the man who was their rock, protector, and greatest source of love and support\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Gilbert Bernal, a grandfather who was an electrician at the plant, was the first confirmed death, his friend Todd Cornwell said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cHe was one of the most genuinely good people that you\u2019ve ever met. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,\u201d Cornwell said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">John Forsberg, who also died in the collapse, was witty, kind and \u201cwicked smart,\u201d said friend Kole Musgrove, who hosts a trivia night at Ashtown Brewing in Longview, where Forsberg regularly competed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The brewery is renaming its trivia trophy the Forsberg Cup to honor him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cIt seemed like there was never a fact he didn\u2019t know,\u201d Musgrove said. \u201cHe was also a tremendous sport \u2013 he was always the first to cheer for another team when they won.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A GoFundMe post sought donations for Forsberg\u2019s two children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">CJ Doran, 26, was \u201cthe spiritual leader of their family, the joy of their home, and the family provider,\u201d according to a GoFundMe post verified by the crowdfunding site.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"b2d7eb77-146e-4e99-9936-108ab7ed888b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Person at vigil\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/6be81ec0b93e7a65ac9d49cf51cec400d66f46c2\/0_0_5687_4000\/master\/5687.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"312.99454897133813\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"b2d7eb77-146e-4e99-9936-108ab7ed888b\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">A person lays a candle at the vigil.<\/span> Photograph: Karen Ducey\/The Seattle Times\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Other victims included Jared Ammons, who had two children and another on the way, and Braydon Finkas, an electrician at the plant, who, along with his longtime partner, Kaitlyn Kincaid, hosted exchange students and others in need, according to their friend Rex Czuba.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Finkas moved to Cathlamet about four years ago to build a house and start a farm, Czuba said. He always was willing to help other farmers cut hay or load equipment, or buy a beer for a new face in their small town, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cHe really jumped in and became a part of the community so quickly,\u201d Czuba said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The tank failure also injured eight people, including a firefighter. Some suffered burns or inhalation injuries, authorities said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The mill\u2019s Japanese parent company, Nippon Paper Group, said in an updated statement on Friday it was offering its \u201cheartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/washington-state\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Washington state<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/west-coast\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">West Coast<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Washington%20state%20crews%20find%20body%20of%20another%20victim%20in%20paper%20mill%20explosion&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/29\/washington-state-paper-mill-explosion?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F29%2Fwashington-state-paper-mill-explosion&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/29\/washington-state-paper-mill-explosion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Diana Winther, left, and Kellie Webber, embrace during an evening prayer and vigil in Longview, Washington, in support<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4176,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4174\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}