LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed that 10 people — including a responding firefighter — were injured after a chemical tank imploded at a pulp and paper mill in Washington state on Tuesday. But they declined to immediately say how many workers had been killed or remained missing.
In a joint statement, Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. and local first response agencies confirmed there had been fatalities. Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein told a news conference that it was unclear how many workers had been killed. Asked how many remained missing, he replied: “We have information on that, but we’re not releasing that information.”
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — The implosion of a chemical tank at a pulp and paper mill in southwestern Washington state on Tuesday killed an undisclosed number of people, local authorities and company officials confirmed.
In a joint statement, Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. and local law enforcement said the tank’s rupture caused “multiple critical injuries” as well as fatalities. Authorities said some victims had suffered burns or inhalation injuries. There was no immediate threat to the public, they said.
The statement, issued more than four hours after the tank imploded at 7:15 a.m., said crews were continuing recovery operations and that no identifying information would be released about victims pending notification of relatives.
Some people waited at the company’s visitor entrance on Tuesday, seeking information about loved ones who worked at the facility. They declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter.
The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility is a pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant that makes material for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, cartons and other goods. It employs about 1,000 people, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
The tank that imploded contained a chemical brew known as "white liquor,” a corrosive substance that consists mainly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide and is used to break down wood to make kraft paper, a durable paper used in packaging, shopping bags and other products.
Mike Gorsuch, battalion chief with the fire department in Longview, Washington, described it as a “mass casualty scene.” He said first responders had decontaminated patients and taken them to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver, Washington.
About 40 firefighters and paramedics had responded, along with a regional hazmat team, Gorsuch said.
Thousands of residents of southern California remained evacuated Tuesday due to a damaged chemical tank at an aerospace plant.
The exterior of the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. is shown, after a tank containing hazardous liquid imploded, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 in Longview, Wash. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)
PARIS (AP) — Naomi Osaka’s taste for fashion was in the spotlight again on Tuesday at the French Open.
The tennis star walked onto Court Suzanne-Lenglen in a ceremonial black skirt and sleeveless beaded bodice, which she removed to reveal a sequined gold playing dress for her opening match in Paris.
“It’s very couture,” Osaka said of her dress after the match. “You know the Eiffel Tower at night when it’s sparkly. I kind of think I look like that a little bit.”
Osaka entered wearing the embellished bodice structured to recall armor, and a long pleated skirt over her playing attire. She then removed the over-garments and went on to beat German opponent Laura Siegemund 6-3, 7-6 (3).
Osaka said the playing dress was designed by Nike while the outer pieces were from Swiss designer Kevin Germanier.
Earlier this year at the Australian Open, Osaka walked on wearing a wide-brim hat, a veil and holding a white parasol. And at last year's U.S. Open, she had sparkly red roses in her ponytail above her red outfit and even a matching Labubu that she named Billie Jean Bling.
The four-time Grand Slam champion also recently wore a show-stopping outfit at the Met Gala in New York.
So how does Osaka switch her focus from her grand entrances to playing a tennis match minutes later?
“I’m a little used to it now,” she said. “The U.S. Open, the roses in my hair, that’s when I started to really get into it a lot more. Obviously with Australia, that was a real conversation starter. So I don’t really feel like it’s too much of a big deal to do that and then play after.
“Athletes are in show business,” Osaka added. “Grand Slam walk-ons are the only time that I possibly feel like I’m an entertainer.”
Osaka had other concerns, though.
“I actually got a little worried, because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot. So I was a little scared that the umpire was going to kick me off the court,” she said. “So I (had) two back-up normal Nike dresses.”
Earlier Tuesday on Court Philippe-Chatrier, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka wore two necklaces featuring diamonds during her opening win.
Osaka said on Saturday that she enjoys fashion since “I don’t talk a lot, so that way I can talk through my clothes.”
She added, “I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”
AP Fashion Writer Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after winning against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain during their first round women's singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Naomi Osaka of Japan prepares for the first round women's singles tennis match against Laura Siegemund of Germany at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Naomi Osaka of Japan enters the court for the first round women's singles tennis match against Laura Siegemund of Germany at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Naomi Osaka of Japan returns to Laura Siegemund of Germany during their first round women's singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Naomi Osaka of Japan gestures before the first round women's singles tennis match against Laura Siegemund of Germany at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
