The death toll in the devastating explosion at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has risen to nine, following the death of another worker. A three-member expert committee has begun investigating the cause of the accident.
The committee, headed by Priya Ranjan, visited the accident site for the second consecutive day and found that the explosion in the ladle might have been triggered by the sudden release of entrapped gases within molten steel.
According to preliminary investigation, the explosion occurred when a crane was rotating a ladle filled with molten steel, and gases trapped inside came under extreme pressure, causing a powerful explosion.
The accident has caused losses exceeding ₹120 crore, including damage to machinery and equipment, and has halted production of steel.
Employees are refusing to join duty due to safety concerns, and senior employee D Adinarayana has accused the RINL management of ignoring safety measures and environmental hazards.
YSR Congress party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded an ex-gratia of ₹1 crore and a job for the kin of the deceased, as well as a resolution opposing the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
