Molten Metal Tragedy: 8 Workers Perish in Steel Plant Inferno

A devastating accident occurred at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited's Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Monday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of at least eight workers. The incident began around 4:15 pm when a ladle containing liquid steel at extreme temperatures of 1,600°C exploded in the continuous casting department.

This explosion caused an estimated 150 tonnes of molten steel to spill across the shop floor, igniting a massive fire. Eighteen workers were in the vicinity at the time. Emergency services and plant workers faced significant challenges in dousing the blaze, which continued for approximately 90 minutes, hindering rescue efforts.

The deceased workers were identified by name, including technicians, foremen, and contract workers. Several injured workers sustained severe burns, over 70%, and were transferred to various hospitals as their conditions worsened.

Worker union leaders, including CITU and INTUC representatives, attributed the tragedy to a lapse in safety protocols and critical staff shortages due to extensive retirements and removals over the past three years. Allegations also point to potential issues with maintenance and the use of lower-grade raw materials amid the plant's financial difficulties.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed his shock and directed immediate coordination of rescue and relief operations. Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy is scheduled to visit the plant on Tuesday.