Visakhapatnam: A steel plant fire at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant claimed eight lives and left six others injured on Sunday after an explosion erupted in the Steel Melt Shop-1 unit of the facility operated by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL).
The accident occurred at around 4:15 pm when Caster-2 of Steel Melt Shop-1 was under casting operations. Officials said the explosion took place before operators opened the slide gate to pour molten steel from the ladle into the tundish.
The blast triggered a massive fireball that shot up to the ceiling of the unit. Subsequently, Overhead Crane-2 caught fire inside the plant.
Eight workers died from their injuries. Meanwhile, six injured persons were admitted to hospital and are undergoing treatment.
Probe ordered into steel plant fire
RINL has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
In addition, authorities constituted a three-member external inquiry committee headed by the Director-in-Charge of Bokaro Steel Plant under the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). The panel will conduct an independent probe into the incident.
After receiving information about the accident, Union Steel Minister visited the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. He is scheduled to meet the injured workers and inspect the accident site.
Officials said the investigation will examine the circumstances that led to the explosion and fire. Furthermore, the inquiry will recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
