Aftermath of the 1947 disaster; Creative Commons, Wikipedia

TEXAS CITY officials will host a memorial ceremony this weekend to honor those who lost their lives in the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at the Showboat Pavilion, where a remembrance ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. Organizers say the program will include a bell ringing and a roll call honoring the 27 firefighters who died while responding to the disaster. A survivor group photo is planned later in the morning.

The Texas City Disaster occurred on April 16, 1947, when a ship carrying ammonium nitrate exploded in the port, triggering a second blast hours later. The explosions leveled nearby structures, caused widespread damage, and killed hundreds of people while injuring thousands more.

As part of the commemoration, the Texas City Museum will offer free admission on Saturday and feature a special exhibit dedicated to the disaster.

City officials will also mark the anniversary on April 16 by sharing survivor stories and historical information through local resources and social media.