Visakhapatnam: At least eight workers were killed and several others sustained critical burn injuries after an explosion triggered a massive spill of superheated liquid metal at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited’s (RINL) Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4:15 pm in the continuous casting department of the plant’s steel melting facility.
Details of the Accident
According to preliminary information, a ladle carrying approximately 150 tonnes of liquid steel at temperatures of around 1,600°C suddenly exploded, causing tonnes of molten steel to pour across the shop floor. The explosion killed eight workers on the spot and ignited a massive blaze that continued for nearly 90 minutes, making it difficult for fire tenders and plant workers to retrieve the charred bodies.
As many as 18 workers were in the area at the time. While eight were burnt alive, a few managed to escape with severe burns. The deceased were identified as Gontina Bhanu Kumar (technician), K Prabhakar (general foreman), GV Appa Rao, M Krishna Nagu, Gold Kumar, and contract workers Ramana, Trinath, and N Appala Raju. The injured workers, most of whom suffered over 70% burns, were identified as Ravuri Mallikarjuna, P Srinivasa Rao, Arjun Appa Rao, Satya Nanda, Pydiraju, and Hari Babu. They were initially rushed to the steel plant hospital and later transferred to KGH and other hospitals as their condition deteriorated.
Union Leaders Raise Safety Concerns
CITU leader K Ayodhya Ram alleged that a leakage in the ladle caused the blast. “We have been alerting the plant management that safety protocols were not being followed due to staff shortage. Had the management undertaken proper maintenance works, this tragic accident could have been prevented,” he told TOI. Sources revealed that around 40 minutes before the fatal explosion, there was a blast and fire in the ladle furnace bay of one of the two steel melting shops. There were no injuries, and the fire was immediately controlled. As work resumed, the explosion occurred, causing the ladle to topple.
INTUC leader Mantri Rajasekhar also accused the plant management of going slow on maintenance works. “So many accidents have been happening, but no remedial measures have been taken. Senior plant officials should be held accountable for this accident. They have been reducing staff strength but not following safety protocols. They are targeting high production but not looking after the critical aspect of maintenance,” Rajasekhar alleged.
Manpower Shortage and Financial Hiccups
Over 10,000 workers have either retired, taken voluntary retirement, or been removed over the last three years at the steel plant, workers’ union leaders alleged, adding that manpower shortage was a key reason behind such accidents. They also claimed that the steel plant, which has been facing financial hiccups for the past three years, is purchasing lower grade raw material, which could be triggering the frequent accidents.
Government Response
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the tragic accident and conveyed his condolences to the deceased workers’ families. He directed all departments to coordinate rescue and relief operations and ensure swift assistance to those affected. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita cut short her Vizianagaram visit and rushed to the Vizag Steel Plant to monitor the rescue operations. Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy will be visiting the plant on Tuesday.
No official statement was issued by the plant authorities till late evening. This is said to be the worst accident at the steel plant in a decade. The last major accident occurred on June 14, 2012, when 19 persons died in a massive explosion and fire at the newly commissioned oxygen plant in the melting shop.
