Visakhapatnam, June 14: The death toll from the tragic incident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has risen to 10. The accident occurred on June 8, when a ladle carrying molten steel exploded in the SMS-1 unit of the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL).
Contract worker G. Suribabu succumbed to his injuries on Saturday at MGM Seven Hills Hospital, where he was receiving treatment. The ladle contained steel at a staggering temperature of approximately 1,500 degrees Celsius, and following the explosion, molten steel began to leak out.
Initially, eight employees lost their lives, and six others sustained injuries. Suribabu was the second fatality, following the death of another worker, Kandukula Paidiraju, on June 10.
Meanwhile, two injured employees have been discharged from the hospital, while two others remain under care, with their conditions reported as stable.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited the accident site on June 9 and announced a compensation of 2.5 million rupees for the families of each deceased worker, along with a job offer for one family member at the plant. He also promised 1 million rupees to the seriously injured employees receiving ICU treatment.
Kalyan further stated that permanent employees would receive retirement benefits totaling 17.2 million rupees, while contract workers would receive 4.575 million rupees. Additionally, the plant management will cover all medical expenses for the injured.
Palla Srinivasa Rao, the local MLA and state president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), expressed deep sorrow over Suribabu’s passing. Upon learning of the news, Rao visited the hospital to pay tribute to the deceased and comfort their grieving families, assuring them of government support during this difficult time.
He personally spoke with relevant officials to ensure that all formalities, including post-mortem procedures, were completed without delay. Rao emphasized that the government prioritizes the welfare and safety of employees and urged management to enhance safety measures to prevent future incidents.
An external committee of three experts, chaired by the Director-in-Charge of Bokaro Steel Plant, is currently investigating the accident to determine its cause. In the meantime, RINL management has suspended 22 employees until the investigation is complete. Those suspended include staff from the Steel Melt Shop, Material Management, and Quality Assurance departments.
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