An explosion at a US Steel facility located near Pittsburgh on Monday resulted in the death of one individual and left several others injured, with at least two individuals reported missing, according to police. Fire crews were observed combating flames as thick smoke billowed from the site.
The incident took place around 11 am at the U.S. Clairton Coke Works plant, which is operated by US Steel, a subsidiary of Nippon Steel.
As reported by Reuters, Jim Madalinsky, a spokesperson for the Allegheny County Police, stated that at least two individuals are unaccounted for, one person has been confirmed deceased, and numerous others sustained injuries.
While the extent of the injuries is still unknown, local reports suggest that several victims have been transported to burn units in hospitals for medical care.
Authorities have yet to ascertain the cause of the explosion.
Earlier, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed through social media that his administration is coordinating with local officials as emergency responders address the situation.
“The scene remains active, and individuals in the vicinity should heed the instructions of local authorities,” he stated, urging readers to join him in prayer for the Clairton community.
Abigail Gardner, the communications director for Allegheny County, informed the Associated Press that the explosion released black smoke spiraling into the midday sky over the Monongahela Valley, a region that has been emblematic of the state for over a century.
“It felt like thunder,” Zachary Buday, a construction worker present near the scene, was quoted by AP as saying to WTAE-TV.
“It shook the scaffold, rattled my chest, and trembled the building. When we noticed the dark smoke rising from the steel mill, we put two and two together and realized something serious had occurred,” he added.
Kasey Reigner, a spokesperson for Allegheny County emergency services, reported that dozens were injured, and the county is dispatching 15 ambulances in addition to those provided by local emergency response teams.
The Clairton Plant is located approximately 32 kilometers south of Pittsburgh, situated on the western bank of the Monongahela River. As the largest coke manufacturing facility in the United States, the Clairton Plant operates ten coke oven batteries and produces around 4.3 million tonnes of coke annually, as reported by US Steel.
This facility caters to clients in the commercial coke market in addition to supplying US Steel’s steelmaking operations.
