Daijiworld Media Network - Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam, Jun 8: A major industrial accident at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited claimed the lives of eight workers and left several others injured on Monday after a ladle carrying molten steel exploded inside the facility.
The incident occurred at the SMS-2 and STC-3 heat facility of the steel plant at around 4:15 p.m., when molten steel being transported in a ladle reportedly burst, causing a massive leak of superheated metal and triggering panic across the work area.
According to officials, the molten steel was at an estimated temperature of nearly 1,500 degrees Celsius. The explosion resulted in a rapid spread of molten material, leaving workers little time to escape.
Emergency response teams, including plant personnel, firefighters and police officials, rushed to the site and launched rescue and containment operations. Efforts were immediately undertaken to control the situation and evacuate affected workers from the area.
Authorities confirmed that eight people lost their lives in the accident, including six employees of the steel plant and two contract workers. Several others sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Among those who died were workers identified as Appa Rao, Prabhakar Rao, Krishna, Ramana and Trinath. The identities of the remaining victims were being verified by officials.
M. Abhishek Kishor said that six workers suffered injuries in the incident. Three of the injured were admitted to KIMS Hospital, while three others were shifted to Seven Hills Hospital for specialised treatment.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and reviewed the situation with senior officials. He directed authorities to coordinate relief and support measures for the victims and their families.
In a message shared on social media, the Chief Minister said he was deeply shocked by the accident and had instructed all concerned departments to work together to provide immediate assistance and ensure proper medical care for the injured.
Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and said a detailed investigation would determine the exact cause of the blast.
He stated that industrial safety remains a top priority and assured that all possible medical and logistical support was being extended to those affected. The minister added that authorities were closely monitoring developments and would take appropriate action based on the findings of the inquiry.
The accident has once again highlighted the risks associated with heavy industrial operations and the importance of stringent safety protocols in steel manufacturing facilities. Officials are expected to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to the explosion, including the condition of the equipment and operational procedures in place at the time of the incident.
Further details are awaited as rescue teams and investigators continue their work at the site.