Live updates: Explosion at US Steel plant near Pittsburgh kills 2, injures 10
Pennsylvania plant explosion captured on livestream
Video captured by a CREATE Lab/Breathe Project livestream shows the moment of an explosion near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at a U.S. Steel coking plant. (Credit: CREATE Lab/Breathe Project via Storyful)
CLAIRTON, Pa. - An explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works near Pittsburgh has left two people dead and 10 others injured, officials said Monday evening. The second victim, previously reported missing in the rubble, was recovered during search efforts, which have now ended. Five of the injured are in critical but stable condition, and five others have been released from hospitals.
The news was initially confirmed by Abigail Gardner, the director of communications for Allegheny County.
Here's what we know so far:
Second death confirmed, recovery operation ends
9:15 p.m. ET: Officials say a second person has died following Monday’s explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. The victim was the worker previously reported missing in the rubble.
Steel plant explosion: 2 dead, 5 in critical condition
Two people are now confirmed dead after an explosion at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania on Monday. Ten people sustained injuries and 5 remain in critical condition, officials said during a press conference. The investigation is ongoing and the extent of the damage is unknown.
The recovery operation at the plant has now ended. Ten people were injured — five are in critical but stable condition, and five have been released from the hospital. The cause of the explosion and the extent of damage to the facility remain under investigation.
Officials say 10 people were injured, 1 person killed and 1 missing
4:30 p.m. ET: During a press conference, officials said the explosion left one person dead and sent at least 10 people to hospitals. Emergency workers were still searching the rubble hours later for a missing worker.
Worker pulled from wreckage hours after explosion
4:30 p.m. ET: One worker was rescued pulled from the wreckage hours after the explosion. A search and rescue effort was still active on Monday afternoon and officials said the cause of the explosion was under investigation.
1 still missing after deadly steel plant explosion
An explosion at a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh has left one dead and dozens injured or trapped under the rubble. During the most recent update, officials said that one person is still unaccounted for in the rubble. Allegheny Health Network said it had seven patients from the explosion being treated by its hospitals. It did not provide information about the patients' conditions. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said it was treating two patients at UPMC Mercy, the region’s only level one trauma and burn center. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Monday that his administration has been in constant contact with labor leaders and local officials. "Injured employees have now been transported to local hospitals to receive care, and search-and-rescue efforts remain active at the plant," Shapiro said on X. "If you’re in the area, continue to follow the instructions of local authorities. Lori and I are eternally thankful for the bravery of our first responders — and we continue to pray for the entire Clairton community." An Allegheny County emergency services spokesperson, Kasey Reigner, said dozens were injured and the county was sending 15 ambulances, on top of the ambulances supplied by local emergency response agencies. US Senator John Fetterman gave an update on the explosion near Pittsburgh after speaking with USW and U.S. Steel officials on-site at the Clairton Coke Works. "There is an active search and rescue underway, dozens injured, and per police there’s at least one unaccounted for," he said. He also released a statement on X, writing, "My team and I are tracking this explosion and waiting for more information. For those in the area, please listen to local officials and avoid the area. Keeping those injured and all who are impacted in my thoughts right now." Fetterman, who formerly served as the mayor of nearby Braddock, called the explosion "absolutely tragic" and vowed to support steelworkers in the aftermath. "I grieve for these families," Fetterman said. "I stand with the steelworkers."
At least 9 people being treated at hospitals
3:00 p.m. ET: Allegheny Health Network said it had seven patients from the explosion being treated by its hospitals. It did not provide information about the patients' conditions. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said it was treating two patients at UPMC Mercy, the region’s only level one trauma and burn center.
Search and rescue efforts remain active at plant, Pennsylvania governor says
2:30 p.m. ET: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Monday that his administration has been in constant contact with labor leaders and local officials.
Explosion at Pennsylvania U.S. Steel plant traps people under rubble
An explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works near Pittsburgh injured dozens and trapped some under rubble, officials said. Emergency crews are on site working to rescue those trapped. Five people have been transported for treatment, and no fatalities have been confirmed, according to Allegheny County officials.
" Injured employees have now been transported to local hospitals to receive care, and search-and-rescue efforts remain active at the plant," Shapiro said on X. "If you’re in the area, continue to follow the instructions of local authorities. Lori and I are eternally thankful for the bravery of our first responders — and we continue to pray for the entire Clairton community."
1 person dead, 2 believed to be missing
1:40 p.m. ET: Allegheny County emergency services spokesperson Kasey Reigner, said one person died in the explosion and two were currently believed to be unaccounted for. Multiple other people were treated for injuries, Reigner said.
County sends additional 15 ambulances to scene
1:15 p.m. ET: An Allegheny County emergency services spokesperson, Kasey Reigner, said dozens were injured and the county was sending 15 ambulances, on top of the ambulances supplied by local emergency response agencies.
Dozens injured, at least 1 unaccounted for
1:00 p.m. ET: US Senator John Fetterman gave an update on the explosion near Pittsburgh after speaking with USW and U.S. Steel officials on-site at the Clairton Coke Works.
"There is an active search and rescue underway, dozens injured, and per police there’s at least one unaccounted for," he said.
US Senator John Fetterman calls explosion ‘absolutely tragic’
12:45 p.m. ET: United States Senator from Pennsylvania John Fetterman released a statement on X, writing, "My team and I are tracking this explosion and waiting for more information. For those in the area, please listen to local officials and avoid the area. Keeping those injured and all who are impacted in my thoughts right now."
"Mass casualty incident" at U.S. Steel Plant
An explosion Monday at a U.S. Steel coking plant near Pittsburgh has left people trapped under the rubble, with emergency workers on site trying to rescue them, an official said. There are no confirmed fatalities yet at the Clairton Coke Works, said Abigail Gardner, director of communications for Allegheny County. The Allegheny County Emergency Services said a fire at the plant started around 10:51 a.m. and that it has transported five people. The agency did not provide any more details on those people transported and would only say it was an ?active scene.? The Clairton Coke Works, a massive industrial facility along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, is considered the largest coking operation in North America.
Fetterman, who formerly served as the mayor of nearby Braddock, called the explosion "absolutely tragic" and vowed to support steelworkers in the aftermath.
"I grieve for these families," Fetterman said. "I stand with the steelworkers."
Explosion at US Steel plant in Pittsburgh leaves dozens injured
12:40 p.m. ET: Officials said the explosion has left dozens wounded and people trapped under the rubble, with emergency workers on site trying to rescue them.
Clairton plant settles lawsuit in 2017 regarding pollution
12:10 p.m. ET: In recent years, the Clairton plant has been dogged by concerns about pollution. In 2019, it agreed to settle a 2017 lawsuit for $8.5 million. Under the settlement, the company agreed to spend $6.5 million to reduce soot emissions and noxious odors from the Clairton coke-making facility, on the Monongahela River about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Pittsburgh.
The company also faced other lawsuits over pollution from the Clairton facility, including ones accusing the company of violating clean air laws after a December 2018 fire damaged the Clairton facility’s sulfur pollution controls.
Five people transported to hospital
11:30 p.m. ET: The Allegheny County Emergency Services said a fire at the plant started around 10:51 a.m. and that it has transported five people.
Scene outside a "mass casualty incident" after explosion at a U.S. Steel plant in Pittsburgh. Image: KDKA via FOX
The agency did not provide any more details on those people transported and would only say it was an "active scene."
Big picture view:
The plant is a massive industrial facility along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, and is considered the largest coking operation in North America.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more details.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press contributed.