Three explosions were reported at ArcelorMittal’s altoforno 2 furnace at Ilva plant in Taranto, Italy. These explosions took place in the wee hours of Wednesday, according to the local media.
Though these explosions caused extensive damage, no injuries were reported. Earlier this month, despite concerns of safety breach, an Italian court had allowed blast furnace 2 to function. The furnace was earlier sequestered in 2015 after an accident that killed 35-year old who was hit by a stream of molten iron.
This closure is likely to affect the region’s steel production, as Ilva’s furnace 1 is shut for maintenance till March 2020. Output could also be hit as the plant faces scarcity of raw materials. ArcelorMittal in November had filed a suit to withdraw from their deal with the Italian government to take over Ilva steel mill, including its Taranto plant. At its peak, the plant’s annual steel capacity was 10mn mt and the furnace 2 has an annual capacity of 1.5mn mt.