• Source:JND

At least eight people lost their lives after a huge quantity of molten steel leaked at Andhra Pradesh’s Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) in Vishakhapatnam on Monday evening. The mishappening sent the state and local administration into war-footing action as rescue efforts were launched immediately.

Several others sustained injuries in the accident. The bodies and the injured were shifted to the steel plant's general hospital. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha rushed to the spot and ordered to expedite rescue efforts.

How did the mishap take place?

According to the information, the mishap took place at around 4:30 PM in the plant's Continuous Casting Department (CCD) under the Steel Melting Shop (SMS) section.

The molten steel, which was at around 1,600 degrees Celsius, was being moved in a ladle (bucket) by a crane in large quantities.

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During the process, the ladle malfunctioned. According to news agency ANI, there was an explosion of the ladle carrying molten steel. This caused liquid metal to spill and fall onto the workers in the vicinity, who were trapped due to intense heat and resulting fire, causing several casualties.

A trade union leader, cited in a Hindustan Times report, said, "A ladle carrying molten steel suddenly malfunctioned, causing a large quantity of liquid metal to spill. The intense heat and resulting fire trapped workers in the vicinity, leading to multiple casualties."

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Trade union leader alleges security failure 

J Ayodhya Ram, a prominent trade union leader associated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) alleged safety failure behind the mishap. He alleged that workers are being made to work day and night without any proper consultation.

While talking to the media, he said, "Today, a massive explosion occurred at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. In this explosion, eight people lost their lives. All the injured have been shifted to the hospital, and the doctors are actively working to save their lives. The sole reason behind this incident is a safety failure. Orders are being issued from Delhi, and workers are being made to work day and night without any proper consultation"

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the mishap and directed the official to undertake relief measures. "The accident at the Visakh 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."


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