Today’s Accident at Nagoya Works (First Report)

Sep. 3, 2014

Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation

At about 12:35 p.m. on September 3, 2014, the coal storage facility of the No. 1 Coke Oven on the premises of Nagoya Works of Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (“NSSMC”) caught fire.

It is with deep regret to announce that eleven NSSMC and four associated company employees were injured by this accident.

Immediately after the accident, we stopped feeding the coke oven gas to ensure safety and from 2 p.m. on September 3, the remaining gas in the coke oven was burnt off and released to the air.
   
The cause of the accident is now under investigation.
   
We deeply regret the great trouble, anxiety, and inconvenience caused to the people of the local community and those concerned by the series of events which began in January 2014. We will make utmost efforts to determine the cause of the accident as soon as possible. At the same time, we are determined to take necessary measures in order to prevent similar accidents in the future.

We will report the cause of the accident as soon as it has been identified.