Published Jun 08, 2026 | 7:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 08, 2026 | 8:14 PM
The mishap occurred when the steel melting buckets collapsed on the workers.
Synopsis: According to preliminary reports, an industrial ladle carrying molten steel boiling at approximately 1,500 degrees Celsius, collapsed during a lifting operation, causing the superheated metal to spill onto workers.
Eight workers, including three contract labourers, were killed and at least nine others seriously injured in a major industrial accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh on Monday, 8 June.
According to preliminary reports, a ladle carrying molten steel boiling at approximately 1,500 degrees Celsius, collapsed during a lifting operation, causing the superheated metal to spill onto workers.
Shift manager Kumar, slide operator Appa Rao and technician Bhanu Kumar were among those killed in the accident which occurred around 4.35 pm.
The District Health Department identified six of the injured, saying G Suribabu, Pydiraju, P Srinivasarao, Arjuna Apparao, Mallikarjuna Rao, and Satyanarayana were undergoing treatment in different hospitals.
The incident occurred in the Steel Melting Shop (SMS)-2 and SMS-3 sections of the plant operated by the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL).
Officials were yet to determine whether an electrical malfunction or mechanical failure had led to the accident. A detailed investigation would commence after the rescue and firefighting operations.
The accident triggered panic within the facility and prompted an immediate emergency response. Injured workers, many of whom sustained severe burn injuries, were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The condition of several injured workers has been reported to be critical.
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the accident. He reviewed the severity of the accident with the officials concerned and directed to take all necessary measures and provide immediate assistance to the affected individuals.
Union Ministry of Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy said he spoke to the officials concerned and was closely monitoring the situation. The circumstances leading to the incident were being assessed, and all necessary assistance was being extended to those affected, he said.
The latest accident comes nearly 14 years after a major tragedy at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. In June 2012, 16 workers lost their lives when a newly commissioned oxygen plant exploded during a trial run at the Steel Melting Shop-3 unit.
