Brazilian integrated steelmaker Gerdau told SteelOrbis on Wednesday two people died at the company’s Ouro Branco mill, located in the city of same name in the state of Minas Gerais, following a blast on Tuesday.
Gerdau said maintenance works at its coking unit No. 2 were halted following the incident, while the other areas are operating regularly.
Gerdau said its employee Fernando Alves Peixoto, and contractor Cristiano Rodrigo Marcelino died following the blast, which involved a total of 12 people.
The steelmaker said the other 10 people were immediately taken to a hospital. Their health situation is now stable.
Gerdau did not provide a specific reason for what it labeled as an “accident.”