Updated: Tragedy at Nippon Dynawave

LONGVIEW, WA (Updated June 1, 2026) — At approximately 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, a vat containing a powerful chemical used in the paper-making process ruptured at Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview. Multiple people have been killed or injured.

The Cowlitz Wahkiakum Central Labor Council and the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW) have come together to establish a fund to support AWPPW families in the wake of this tragedy. Donations to the fund at the Lower Columbia Longshoremen’s Federal Credit Union can be made via direct fund transfer (for LCLFCU members); nonmembers can make contributions at LCLFCU’s main branch (629 14th Ave, Longview, WA 98632 – click here for a map) or checks can be made to:

The Cowlitz Wahkiakum Central Labor Council
1145 Commerce Ave.
Longview, WA 98632

Online donations are being collected via Venmo at @cwclcfamilysupport.

AWPPW will administer the fund. For more information, please contact Josh Estes at josh@pnwrstrategies.com

The following statement was released by AWPPW on Saturday, May 30:

The Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers continues to extend its deepest condolences and unwavering support to the families, coworkers, friends, and entire communities impacted by the tragic incident at the Nippon Dynawave facility in Longview.

With recovery efforts now completed at the site, our union’s focus remains on supporting the families affected by this tragedy, assisting our members and coworkers, and ensuring the community continues to have access to resources, support, and accurate information during an incredibly difficult period of grief and uncertainty.

We also want to recognize and thank the recovery personnel, emergency responders, contractors, facility personnel, and everyone involved in the response and recovery operation. The effort to safely recover those lost required extraordinary professionalism, coordination, care, and courage under extremely dangerous and complex conditions. The compassion and respect shown throughout this process has meant more than words can express to the families impacted and to our union.

There are no words that can adequately describe the level of compassion, solidarity, and support shown by this community and by people across the region and country over the past several days. From first responders and healthcare workers to labor organizations, elected officials, businesses, faith organizations, neighbors, and complete strangers, the outpouring of support has been extraordinary and deeply appreciated by the families and everyone affected.

As recovery operations transition into the investigative and cleanup phases, the AWPPW remains fully committed to ensuring there is a complete, thorough, and uncompromising investigation into what caused this tragedy. The families, workers, and community deserve answers. Our union continues to coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies to help ensure investigative efforts are conducted in a manner that preserves the integrity of the site and supports a full understanding of the factors that contributed to this incident.

We especially want to recognize the efforts of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council and countless volunteers who quickly mobilized to establish family support and fundraising efforts for impacted workers and families. The broader community has stepped forward in an incredible way during one of the most difficult moments many families will ever face.

The AWPPW remains available to the public and media for questions and coordination to help ensure accurate and verified information is communicated responsibly throughout this process. All media inquiries, support coordination requests, and requests for union comment should be directed to Josh Estes, designated spokesperson and liaison to ongoing response, investigative, and recovery coordination efforts.

This page will be updated with more information from AWPPW as it becomes available. Media inquiries should be directed to AWPPW spokesperson Josh Estes at  josh@pnwrstrategies.com or 425-622-8256.