PITTSBURGH, Aug 12 (Alliance News): Two people were killed and 10 injured after multiple explosions tore through the Clairton Coke Works, a US Steel plant south of Pittsburgh, authorities said Monday.
The blasts occurred shortly before 11 a.m. local time (1500 GMT) at the facility in Clairton, along the Monongahela River. Fire crews fought flames and heavy smoke at the plant, which is owned by US Steel, a subsidiary of Nippon Steel.
One person initially reported missing was found and taken to hospital, while another was later found dead after an extensive search, the company confirmed.
The cause of the explosions remains unknown. Allegheny County Police said the investigation will be “time-consuming and technical.”
US Steel CEO David Burritt said the company is cooperating fully with authorities. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro posted on X that the “scene is still active” and urged nearby residents to follow official guidance.
Several victims were taken to hospital burn units.
Clairton Mayor Rich Lattanzi called it a “horrible day” for the city, a community with deep steelmaking roots about 32 km south of Pittsburgh.
In June, Nippon Steel completed its $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel after lengthy regulatory review.
While air quality monitors showed no dangerous rise in sulfur dioxide, residents within a mile of the plant were urged to stay indoors, close windows, and set HVAC systems to recirculate, officials said.
The Clairton Coke Works is the largest coke manufacturing facility in the US, employing around 1,300 workers. It produces about 4.3 million tons of coke a year for use in steelmaking.
