The blast occurred while molten steel at nearly 1,500°C was being handled at the plant’s Steel Melting Shop. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief and announced relief measures for affected families.
BY PC Bureau
June 8, 2026: At least nine workers were killed and six others injured after a ladle carrying molten steel exploded at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Monday evening, triggering panic and a major emergency response inside the facility.
The accident occurred around 4.15 pm at the Steel Melting Shop-2 (SMS-2) and STC-3 heat facility while molten steel was being lifted for processing. According to officials, a massive quantity of molten metal, heated to nearly 1,500 degrees Celsius, spilled out following the explosion of the ladle, a large vessel used to transport molten steel.
VIDEO | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: At least eight workers were killed in a molten iron spill at the Vizag Steel Plant. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and TDP MP M. Sribharat reviewed the accident site.
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/6SsB1i4Dft
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 8, 2026
The blast caused chaos inside the plant as workers rushed to escape the intense heat and flames. Firefighters, plant personnel and police teams were immediately deployed to contain the situation and launch rescue operations.
Officials said the deceased included six permanent employees of the steel plant and two contract workers, while the identity of one victim was yet to be officially confirmed. Six workers sustained injuries in the accident.
🚨8 workers were killed,several injured in a tragic accident at #VizagSteelPlant (RINL) #Visakhapatnam,SMS-2 unit.
The incident occurred during molten steel handling ~1600°C following a crane failure.Rescue operations underway; probe ordered
Condolences to victims’ families. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jwLVVdf2CS— JuristViewpoint 🇮🇳 (@FocusOnLaw) June 8, 2026
Visakhapatnam District Collector M. Abhishek Kishor said three of the injured were admitted to KIMS Hospital, while three others were shifted to Seven Hills Hospital for treatment.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and grief over the tragedy. After speaking with officials, he directed all concerned departments to coordinate relief and support measures for the affected workers and their families.
“The accident at the Visakha Steel Plant has left me deeply shocked. I am distressed to learn that several workers have lost their lives in this accident. I have spoken to the concerned officials and directed them to undertake relief measures in coordination with all government departments,” Naidu said in a post on X.
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Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma also expressed condolences, saying the exact cause of the explosion would be determined only after a detailed investigation.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic ladle blast accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL) this evening. My heart goes out to the families of the brave workers who lost their lives in this accident,” he said, adding that all possible medical assistance was being provided to the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased worker. The injured will receive ₹50,000 each as financial assistance.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident as questions are being raised about industrial safety measures at one of the country’s largest steel manufacturing facilities.
