At least eight workers were killed and several others injured in a major accident at Vizag Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal city of Visakhapatnam on Monday. The mishap occurred when molten metal at 1500 degrees Celsius fell on the workers on duty, the police said.
A large bucket containing molten metal was dislodged and fell, igniting a major fire in the plant’s steel melting station number 1 and burning workers alive.
Rescued workers informed the police that a blast occurred moments before tonnes of molten steel fell down. Several others have received severe burn injuries and have been rushed to various hospitals. At least six workers received burn injuries, and the condition of at least two of them is said to be serious.
Several fire engines and dozens of firefighters were pressed to bring the blaze under control.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and grief over the mishap. He spoke with the District Collector and Police Commissioner, and directed them to provide immediate help to the families of the affected persons.
Former chief minister and YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed deep grief over the incident. Demanding a comprehensive inquiry, Jagan called for strict action against those found responsible and stressed that worker safety must remain the highest priority in all industrial establishments. He said there should be no compromise in implementing safety standards and preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in the future.
In June 2012, a major tragedy struck the steel plant when 16 workers died when a newly commissioned oxygen plant in the steel melting shop number 3 exploded. The explosion occurred when officials were conducting a trial run of the oxygen plant.
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