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A series of intense explosions rocked the U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania on Monday, resulting in one worker’s death and another missing. Ten additional individuals sustained injuries as fires and thick smoke billowed from the facility, prompting an immediate search for the missing worker.
The blasts at Clairton Coke Works—part of a large industrial complex along the Monongahela River—occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Eastern Time (3 p.m. GMT). Fire crews engaged in fighting the fires amid plumes of heavy smoke emanating from the plant, which is operated by US Steel, a subsidiary of Nippon Steel.
Initially, two workers were reported missing. One was located and transported to a nearby hospital, according to Allegheny County Police Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph. The fate of the other worker remains unknown. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the explosion.
“Rescue operations are still underway,” Joseph stated during an afternoon briefing. He emphasized that the investigation into the incident would likely be lengthy and technically complex. David Burritt, CEO of US Steel, released a statement affirming the company’s collaboration with local officials to determine the cause of the event.
While the exact injuries’ severity remains unclear, reports indicated that several victims were admitted to burn units at hospitals. Clairton Mayor Rich Lattanzi described the day as devastating for the city, which is located about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh and has a long history as America’s Steel City.
US Steel has been producing steel in the region since the late 1800s. However, in recent decades, the industry has faced decline, leading to numerous plant closures and restructuring efforts. Only recently, Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel was finalized after an 18-month review process by U.S. authorities, which scrutinized the deal for national security concerns.
Air quality monitors did not detect a significant increase in sulfur dioxide levels post-explosion. Nevertheless, residents within a one-mile radius of the plant were advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors shut, set HVAC systems to recirculate air, and avoid outdoor activities, as per Allegheny County officials.
The Clairton Coke Works stands as the largest coke manufacturing plant in the United States, with about 1,300 workers. It operates ten coke oven batteries, producing approximately 4.3 million tons of coke annually. Coke, created by heating coal at high temperatures, is a vital component used in blast furnaces during steel production.
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