An explosion at the US Steel Clairton plant near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Monday resulted in one death and ten injuries, according to officials. A search and rescue operation is ongoing for another missing individual who is suspected to be trapped under rubble. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the explosion and advised locals to keep their windows closed due to smoke in the area.
The plant, situated approximately 15 miles south of Pittsburgh, is the largest coking operation in North America. Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed the deployment of the state’s emergency services and police to the site. US Senator John Fetterman also stated on social media that he witnessed the active search and rescue efforts.
With about 1,300 employees at the facility, US Steel’s David B Burritt emphasized the company’s cooperation with relevant authorities in investigating the incident. He later added at a press conference that the plant’s current state is stable, despite it being an ongoing investigation.
Mayor Richard Lattanzi expressed his sorrow over the event. The Clairton Coke Works facility has faced criticism for pollution concerns throughout its history, resulting in significant fines and penalties in recent years. In the previous year, the Allegheny County Health Department fined US Steel nearly $2 million due to processing and equipment issues with its coking ovens. Additionally, US Steel incurred a $
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgjj49neldo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
