GUWAHATI: At least eight workers were killed and several others sustained critical injuries on Monday evening, June 8, after a large ladle carrying molten steel collapsed during a lifting operation at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
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The accident occurred at around 4:40 PM in the Steel Melting Shop (SMS), triggering a massive fire and causing superheated molten metal to spread across the shop floor.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a mechanical failure in the crane or ladle handling system may have caused the container to dislodge, resulting in the sudden spill of hundreds of tonnes of molten steel at temperatures exceeding 1,600°C. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud blast moments before the spill, which engulfed several workers in flames.
Rescue teams and multiple fire tenders were immediately deployed to the site. Emergency personnel battled extreme heat conditions to contain the blaze and evacuate the injured workers.
The victims include both permanent and contractual employees. Those who sustained severe burn injuries were rushed to Visakha Steel General Hospital and other hospitals in the city for treatment. Officials fear the death toll may rise, as several workers remain in critical condition.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu took cognisance of the incident and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured in the accident.
A high-level inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the mishap and examine possible safety lapses at the plant. Union ministers and senior state officials have visited the site to assess the situation and assure support to the affected families.
This incident has once again raised serious concerns about industrial safety standards at the public sector steel plant, which has witnessed similar accidents in the past.
Operations in the affected Steel Melting Shop unit have been suspended, and authorities are conducting a thorough safety audit across the facility. The management of RINL has expressed condolences and assured full cooperation with the probe.