Explosions at US Steel plant leaves two dead, 10 injured

 

Two people were killed and ten others injured after multiple explosions erupted at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant near Pittsburgh on Monday morning. The blasts occurred shortly before 11 a.m., triggering intense fires and heavy smoke that could be seen for miles. The facility, located about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh, is the largest coke manufacturing plant in the United States and employs around 1,300 workers.

Initially, two individuals were reported missing. One was later found alive and taken to a local hospital, while the second was found dead after an extensive search. The cause of the explosions remains unknown, and authorities say the investigation will be a lengthy and technical process. The incident comes just months after Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steelmaker, completed its $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel.

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Authorities have advised residents within a one-mile radius of the Clairton plant to remain indoors, close windows, and keep HVAC systems on recirculation mode as a precaution. While air quality monitors did not detect dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide, officials urged people to avoid activities that draw in outdoor air.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed his administration is in contact with local officials and emergency crews. Clairton Mayor Rich Lattanzi called the incident a “horrible day” for the city, which has a long history tied to the steel industry. The plant produces about 4.3 million tons of coke annually, a key material used in steelmaking. Coke is created by heating coal to very high temperatures.

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The explosions have renewed concerns about industrial safety and the future of steel production in the region, which has seen decades of decline and restructuring. Investigators are working alongside U.S. Steel management to determine the cause and prevent future tragedies.