The death toll in the Vizag Steel Plant accident has risen to nine after a contract worker succumbed to severe burn injuries on Wednesday. A three-member expert committee has been appointed to investigate the cause of the accident, which occurred on Monday at the Steel Melt Shop-1 (SMS-1) of the plant.
According to preliminary investigation, an explosion in the ladle could have been triggered by the sudden release of entrapped gases within the molten metal. The explosion damaged cables and equipment, disrupting production and causing losses exceeding ₹120 crore.
Senior employees have been warning the management about the lack of safety measures in the plant, citing non-implementation of safety guidelines and regular violation of standard operating procedures. The trade unions have also demanded an ex-gratia of ₹1 crore and a job for the kin of the deceased.
YSR Congress party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has visited the accident site and demanded an ex-gratia of ₹1 crore and a job for the kin of the deceased, as well as a resolution opposing the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
