VSP Blast Toll Rises to 10 as Another Worker Succumbs

The death toll in the industrial accident at Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, rose to 10 on Saturday after another injured worker succumbed during treatment at MGM Seven Hills Hospital.

The deceased has been identified as contract worker Gokivada Suribabu, who sustained severe burn injuries in the mishap at the Steel Melt Shop-1 (SMS-1) on June 8. He is survived by his wife Varalakshmi and two children.

Eight workers were killed in the incident on the day it occurred, while another injured worker, Paidiraju, died earlier this week, taking the toll to nine before the latest fatality.

The accident took place when a ladle carrying around 150 tonnes of molten steel, heated to between 1,500°C and 1,600°C, exploded inside the plant premises.

Trade unions have intensified pressure on the management, raising concerns over alleged manpower shortages, inadequate maintenance practices, and an emphasis on production targets over safety compliance.

An external three-member expert committee, headed by the Director-in-charge of Bokaro Steel Plant, is probing the incident to determine the cause of the explosion.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and senior Central government officials are monitoring the situation. Authorities have announced compensation and job assistance for the families of the deceased.