The death toll in the devastating paper mill explosion in Washington state has risen to eight after emergency crews recovered six more bodies from the blast site. Authorities fear that at least three more bodies may still be trapped inside the damaged facility.

According to reports, firefighters believe they have identified the locations of the remaining victims but have not yet been able to safely reach them.

The tragedy is now being described as the worst industrial disaster in modern Washington state history.

Explosion At Chemical Tank

The explosion took place on Tuesday at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant in Longview, Washington. A massive tank containing nearly 600,000 gallons of “white liquor” exploded during an early morning shift change. The chemical is commonly used in processing wood chips into packaging material for milk and juice cartons.

The blast caused severe destruction across the facility and triggered a dangerous chemical leak.

Workers Caught During Shift Change

Matt Amos, battalion chief with the Longview Fire Department, said many of the workers who died or went missing were gathered in one area before receiving their work assignments for the day.

Firefighters searching the site told local media that three additional bodies are believed to still be inside the dangerous zone.

Rescue Efforts Continue Slowly

Recovery operations have moved slowly because of the unstable conditions around the damaged chemical tank. Authorities said the area remains extremely hazardous due to structural damage, leaking chemicals, and standing water mixed with toxic substances.

Emergency crews must wear full protective equipment while entering the site. They also undergo decontamination procedures and health checks after every search attempt. Officials said rescue teams can only enter the explosion zone a limited number of times each day because of the risks involved.

Officials Describe Site As Dangerous

Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig acknowledged that families of missing workers were desperately waiting for answers. However, he stressed that recovery teams must balance speed with safety.

Hannig described the site as “an active and hazardous environment.”

Investigators are also facing challenges in determining the exact locations of workers at the time of the explosion. Although the mill had surveillance cameras, officials said the camera system does not clearly show where all employees were when the chemical release happened.

Damaged Tank Still Leaking

Authorities said the destroyed chemical tank remains unstable and continues to leak hazardous material. The complex industrial structure of the paper mill has further complicated recovery work. The site contains pipelines, power lines, and chemical systems spread across the area, making it difficult for aerial drones to operate safely during the search mission.

Emergency crews continue their efforts to recover the remaining victims and investigate the cause of the deadly explosion.