8 workers killed after molten steel explodes at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

At least eight workers were killed and several others injured after a ladle carrying molten steel exploded at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh on Monday, triggering a major industrial accident and emergency response at the facility.

The incident occurred at the Steel Melting Shop (SMS)-2 and STC-3 sections of the plant when a ladle containing molten steel at extremely high temperatures reportedly exploded, causing a large quantity of superheated metal to spill across the work area.

Explosion triggers panic at plant

According to initial reports, the accident took place during a lifting operation involving a vessel carrying molten steel. The explosion caused the container to fail, leading to a massive leak of molten metal and severe injuries to workers in the vicinity.

Police told PTI that the molten steel was at a temperature of around 1,600 degrees Celsius at the time of the incident.

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The blast triggered panic inside the facility, with workers rushing to safety as emergency teams and plant personnel responded to the scene.

Eight workers killed, several injured

Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Circle Inspector Kesav Rao said eight workers lost their lives in the accident, while several others suffered injuries.

Rescue and relief operations were launched immediately, and the injured were shifted for medical treatment. Officials are assessing the extent of the damage and investigating the circumstances that led to the explosion.

Chandrababu Naidu expresses grief

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of lives in the accident.

The Chief Minister spoke with officials to review the situation and was briefed on the ongoing rescue efforts and relief measures.

Naidu directed authorities to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided to the affected workers and their families. He also instructed officials to coordinate across departments to expedite relief and support operations.

Investigation underway

Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident to determine the cause of the explosion and whether any safety lapses contributed to the accident.

The tragedy has once again drawn attention to industrial safety standards at heavy manufacturing facilities, particularly those handling high-temperature materials such as molten steel.