Several left critically injured after a massive ladle carrying liquid metal at 1,600°C collapsed inside the Steel Melting Shop.
VISAKHAPATNAM — A major industrial disaster struck the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Monday evening, resulting in the tragic death of at least eight workers. The accident left several others critically injured when a heavy ladle carrying boiling molten steel collapsed and spilled onto the factory floor.
How the Accident Happened
The horrifying incident took place between 4:15 PM and 4:40 PM at the Continuous Casting Department in the plant’s Steel Melting Shop (SMS). According to early reports, a massive ladle carrying hundreds of tonnes of liquid iron suffered a sudden mechanical failure. It fell to the ground and ruptured with a loud blast.
The liquid metal, which was burning at extremely high temperatures of around 1,500 to 1,600 degrees Celsius, spilled directly onto the area where about 20 workers were on duty. The extreme heat instantly caused a massive fire, trapping several people on the shop floor.
Casualties and Rescue Operations
The intense heat resulted in the immediate death of eight workers, who were tragically burnt alive. While the plant management has yet to release an official casualty list, union leaders and police on the ground confirmed counting eight bodies.
At least six other workers suffered severe burns, with some sustaining over 70% burn injuries. Plant personnel, local police, and firefighters quickly rushed to the site to control the flames and launch rescue operations. The injured workers were immediately taken to the Steel Plant Hospital, KIMS Hospital, and Seven Hills Hospital for emergency medical care. The bodies of the deceased were moved to King George Hospital (KGH) for postmortem procedures.
Government and Leaders React
The state government responded swiftly to the tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock and sorrow over the loss of lives. He held an emergency review meeting and spoke directly to the District Collector and the Police Commissioner. He directed all government departments to work together to speed up rescue operations and ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who was touring a nearby district, canceled her schedule and hurried to the steel plant to monitor the situation on the ground.
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed his grief. He demanded a full and fair inquiry into the incident, stating that strict action must be taken against anyone found responsible. He emphasized that worker safety must always be the highest priority for industrial units.
Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, also shared his sadness over the blast, noting that the exact cause of the accident will be clear only after a detailed investigation.
Concerns Over Maintenance and Safety
Following the accident, workers’ union leaders raised serious concerns about safety protocols. K. Ayodhya Ram, a leader of the CITU union, alleged that the plant management had ignored proper maintenance works, not just in the Steel Melting Shop, but across various wings of the facility.
This tragic event has brought back painful memories of a similar disaster at the same steel plant on June 14, 2012. In that incident, 16 workers, including senior officers, lost their lives after a massive explosion in a newly commissioned oxygen unit.
The Aftermath: Seeking Answers and Accountability
An official, high-level inquiry has been ordered by the plant management and government authorities to look into the technical failures that caused the ladle system to collapse. For now, the primary focus remains on treating the injured workers, securing the accident site, and providing immediate support to the grieving families.