The recent accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, which claimed at least eight lives, has sparked concerns over the plant's safety measures.
A former chairman and managing director of the plant, Y Sivasagar Rao, attributed the accident to inadequate maintenance and a lack of experienced personnel to run the critical unit.
According to eyewitnesses, the explosion might have occurred due to overheating in the ladle, which spilled hot metal onto the workers.
Trade union leaders have also pointed to the alleged move to privatise the plant, which they claim has led to the sacking of experienced contract workers and the hiring of inexperienced personnel.
The accident is being described as the biggest industrial mishap of its kind in the plant's 34-year history, and has raised questions over the plant's safety record.
