Eight killed, several injured as molten iron spills on workers at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant
PTC News Desk: At least eight workers were killed and six others suffered severe burn injuries in a major industrial accident at Vizag Steel Plant on Monday evening after a ladle carrying molten metal reportedly collapsed inside the Steel Melting Shop (SMS).
According to plant sources, the ladle hit the ground with a loud impact, causing molten metal to spill across the work area and triggering a massive fire. Rescue teams and fire personnel rushed to the scene and worked to contain the blaze.
The bodies of those killed were severely charred, making identification difficult. Authorities and plant officials are working to establish the identities of the victims.
The injured workers were identified as Ravuri Mallikharjuna Rao, P. Srinivasa Rao, Arjun Appa Rao, Satyanand, Haribabu and Pydiraju. All reportedly sustained burns over more than 70 percent of their bodies and were admitted to the plant hospital for treatment.
The accident is being described as one of the deadliest at the steel plant since June 14, 2012, when 16 workers, including officers, died in a massive explosion and fire at a newly commissioned oxygen plant in the SMS-III unit.
Preliminary reports indicate the incident occurred around 4 p.m. in SMS-I when a ladle carrying molten metal at approximately 1,600 degrees Celsius fell to the ground. Around 20 workers were present in the area at the time.
The steel plant management had not officially confirmed the number of casualties by late evening. However, union representatives who visited the site said they counted several bodies and informed the police about the fatalities.
- With inputs from agencies
