08 June,2026 08:52 PM IST | Visakhapatnam | mid-day online correspondent
The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant where eight workers were killed and six injured in an accident on Monday evening. PIC/PTI
At least eight workers were killed and six others injured after a ladle carrying molten steel exploded at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL)-run Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Monday.
The incident occurred around 4.15 pm at the SMS-2 and STC-3 heat facility of the steel plant when molten steel was being lifted. A large quantity of molten steel leaked following the explosion of the ladle, spilling on workers and triggering panic in the plant.
According to officials, the molten iron was at an extremely high temperature of around 1,500 degrees Celsius.
Steel plant personnel, police and fire-fighting teams launched efforts to bring the situation under control.
The victims included six plant employees and two contract workers. Five of those killed were identified as Appa Rao, Prabhakar Rao, Krishna, Ramana, and Trinath.
Visakhapatnam District Collector M Abhishek Kishor said six workers were injured in the accident. Three were admitted to KIMS Hospital, while three others were shifted to Seven Hills Hospital for treatment.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced ex gratia compensation for the victims' families and the injured.
"Saddened by the mishap at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest. The local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected," Modi said in a post on X.
Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PM's National Relief Fund for the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 for every injured worker.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also expressed shock over the accident and reviewed the situation with officials.
"The accident at the Visakha Steel Plant has left me deeply shocked. I am distressed to learn that several workers have lost their lives in this accident. I have spoken to the concerned officials and directed them to undertake relief measures in coordination with all government departments," Naidu posted on X.
Officials briefed the chief minister on the situation and the relief measures being undertaken. He directed authorities to coordinate across departments and provide all necessary assistance to those affected.
Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma said the cause of the accident would be known only after a thorough investigation.
"Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic ladle blast accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL) this evening. My heart goes out to the families of the brave workers who lost their lives in this accident. I have spoken to the plant management and local authorities; we are closely monitoring the situation on the ground. Every possible medical assistance is being extended to those affected. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Industrial safety remains our utmost priority, and we stand firmly with the workforce and their families in this hour of grief," he said in a social media post.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
(With PTI and IANS inputs)
