Eight workers lost their lives, and six others suffered injuries in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident that took place on Monday evening. The mishap, involving molten steel at one of the plant’s operational units, has sent shockwaves through the steel city and raised fresh questions about industrial safety.
On Tuesday, senior ministers visited the injured, compensation packages were announced, and a three-member committee was tasked with investigating the cause of the accident. Authorities are also conducting DNA tests to establish the identities of some of the deceased workers.
Here is what we know so far.
1. DNA tests to identify several victims
Three of the eight deceased workers have been identified as Bhanu Kumar, Ramana and Appala Raju. Authorities said DNA tests will be conducted to identify the remaining victims, as most bodies were charred beyond recognition. Samples will be sent to a laboratory in Vijayawada.
2. Eight workers killed, six injured
Officials have confirmed eight deaths and six injuries in the accident. Two of the injured workers remain in serious condition and are undergoing treatment in Visakhapatnam hospitals.
3. Probe panel formed to investigate blast
Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma said a three-member expert committee has been constituted to investigate the accident and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
4. Pawan Kalyan says accident was unprecedented
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan described the incident as an extremely rare industrial accident, saying such a blast had not occurred in the plant’s more than 30-year history.
“These accidents keep happening in the industrial belt every six to eight months, but a blast of this level has never occurred before,” he said.
5. How the explosion occurred
According to Pawan Kalyan, the accident occurred around 4.15 pm during operations at the steel melting shop. The blast occurred during the continuous casting process, moments before a slide gate was due to be opened. The impact sparked a fire that quickly spread to the ceiling and an overhead crane.
6. Molten steel was at nearly 1,500°C
Officials said the blast occurred when a ladle carrying molten steel exploded, causing a large quantity of superheated metal to leak. The molten iron involved in the accident was estimated to be around 1,500 degrees Celsius.
7. Compensation package announced
The Andhra Pradesh government said families of regular employees would receive benefits amounting to about Rs 1.72 crore along with pension support. Families of contract workers will receive around Rs 45.7 lakh and pension-related benefits.
An additional ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh has also been announced for each deceased employee.
8. Centre announces financial assistance
Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy announced Rs 25 lakh compensation for families of the deceased and Rs 10 lakh each for injured employees. He also said the families would continue to receive housing support, while assistance would be provided for the education of the deceased workers’ children.
9. PM Modi announces PMNRF relief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased worker. Injured workers will receive Rs 50,000 each.
10. State leaders visit hospitals and accident site
Pawan Kalyan, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and several state leaders visited hospitals and the accident site. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and directed officials to ensure the best available treatment for the injured.