A devastating mishap at Andhra Pradesh's Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) in Vishakhapatnam has left several people dead and injured on Monday.
While trade union leaders claim to have recovered nine bodies, the RINL management has not yet confirmed the death toll.
According to health officials, the bodies of four deceased have reached the steel plant's general hospital.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident and has asked district authorities to rush to the spot and take up rescue operations.
A large quantity of molten iron fell on workers at the plant, leaving several dead and others injured.
The incident took place at around 4.30pm in the plant's Continuous Casting Department (CCD) under the Steel Melting Shop (SMS) section.
Police said the molten iron was extremely hot at about 1,600 degrees Celsius and was being moved in a bucket by a crane when it malfunctioned.
A trade union leader said the intense heat and resulting fire trapped workers in the vicinity, leading to multiple casualties.
