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Beloved dad killed in Washington state chemical tank rupture: 'We are so heartbroken'

2:52
Urgent search for survivors after deadly factory accident
Courtesy of Geovana Bernal
ByKerem Inal, Emily Shapiro, and Meredith Deliso
May 27, 2026, 6:50 PM

A beloved husband, dad and grandfather was killed in the chemical tank rupture at a pulp and paper mill in Washington state, according to his daughter.

Geovana Bernal told ABC News that her father, Gilbert Bernal, died in Tuesday morning's incident at his workplace, Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, Washington.

At least two people were killed, eight suffered injuries and nine employees remain missing, officials said. The ongoing recovery efforts are "extremely complex" due to the unstable tank, which contains white liquor, a chemical mixture used in the paper-making process, according to authorities.

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1 dead, 9 missing after chemical tank ruptures at pulp and paper mill in Washington state: Officials

Geovana Bernal said in a statement, "There are not enough words to express on how devastated we are right now."

"My father was the most selfless man I knew. He worked hard to provide for his family and he loved us so much," she said. "He was going to celebrate his 32nd wedding anniversary with mom in just a couple weeks and he loved my son, his first grandson, so much."

An undated photo of Gilbert Bernal with his wife Maria and grandson Jameson provided by his daughter Geovana who said he died in the chemical tank rupture in Washington state on May 26, 2026.
Courtesy of Geovana Bernal

She said Gilbert Bernal often helped out at his church, "volunteering his time to help repairs or help anyone in need."

"He was a great man, husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend," Geovana Bernal said. "We are so heartbroken."

An undated photo of Gilbert Bernal with his wife Maria provided by his daughter Geovana who said he died in the chemical tank rupture in Washington state on May 26, 2026.
Courtesy of Geovana Bernal

The coroner's office has not released the identities of the confirmed fatalities, but Geovana Bernal said her brother viewed images of her father and confirmed his death after speaking with the coroner's office.

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