The explosion at a steel plant near the American city of Pittsburgh has killed one person and injured dozens, with many of them buried under the rubble, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The explosion sent black clouds of smoke into the sky over the Monongahela Valley, a region in Pennsylvania that has been synonymous with steel production for more than a century.
A spokesman for rescue services in Allegheny County said that one person died in the explosion in the city of Clairton, and two are still missing. Many others were taken to the hospital with various injuries. Dozens were injured and the county sent 15 ambulances, in addition to ambulances provided by local emergency services in Clairton, the spokesman said. The plant is considered the largest coke plant in North America and is one of four large plants in Pennsylvania that employ several thousand people. Democratic Senator John Fetterman, a former mayor of the nearby city of North Braddock, called the explosion an "absolute tragedy" and pledged support for the steelworkers. "I grieve for these families," Fetterman said. "I side with the steelworkers," he added.
The Allegheny County Health Department said it was investigating the effects of the explosion and advised residents within a mile of the plant to stay indoors, close all windows and doors, set air conditioners to recirculate and avoid breathing outside air.
The plant converts coal into coke, a key component in the steelmaking process. According to the company that owns the plant, it produces 4.3 million tons of coke annually and employs about 1,400 people.