Visakhapatnam Steel Plant blast death toll climbs to 10 after latest fatality
Synopsis
Ten workers are now dead after the 8 June molten-steel ladle explosion at RINL's Visakhapatnam Steel Plant — making it one of the deadliest industrial accidents at the facility in recent years. With 22 employees suspended and an external committee investigating, the blast has put a sharp spotlight on safety standards at one of India's flagship public-sector steel producers.
Key Takeaways
The death toll from the 8 June explosion at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL) has risen to 10 as of 14 June .
Suribabu died at MGM Seven Hills Hospital on 14 June ; worker Kandula Paidiraju had died earlier on 10 June .
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan announced ₹25 lakh compensation per deceased worker and a plant job for one family member; ICU patients to receive ₹10 lakh each.
RINL management has reportedly suspended 22 employees from the Steel Melt Shop, Material Management, and Quality Assurance departments pending investigation.
A three-member expert committee headed by the Director-in-Charge of Bokaro Steel Plant is probing the cause of the explosion.
Two injured workers have been discharged; two others remain hospitalised and are reported to be stable.
The death toll from the 8 June explosion at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has risen to 10 after another injured worker succumbed at a city hospital on 14 June. The tragedy at the plant run by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) has now claimed ten lives, with two workers still receiving treatment.
The Latest Fatality
Contract worker G. Suribabu passed away on Saturday, 14 June at MGM Seven Hills Hospital, Visakhapatnam, where he had been undergoing treatment since the accident. Before him, another worker, Kandula Paidiraju, had succumbed to his injuries on 10 June. Of the six workers initially injured, two have since been discharged, while two others remain hospitalised and are reported to be stable.
How the Accident Happened
The explosion occurred on 8 June at the SMS-1 unit of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant when a ladle carrying molten steel ruptured. The ladle was transporting steel at approximately 1,500 degrees Celsius, and the resulting blast caused molten steel to leak across the work area. Eight workers died in the immediate aftermath, with subsequent deaths pushing the toll to ten.
Compensation and Government Response
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who visited the accident site on 9 June, announced ₹25 lakh in compensation to the family of each deceased worker, along with a guaranteed job in the plant for one family member. Workers seriously injured and receiving ICU treatment were promised ₹10 lakh each.
Kalyan further stated that permanent employees would receive ₹1.72 crore under retirement benefits, while contract employees would receive ₹45.75 lakh. The plant management has committed to bearing all medical expenses for the injured.
Political Response and Local Support
Gajuwaka MLA and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) state President Palla Srinivasa Rao visited the hospital on learning of Suribabu's death, paid his last respects, and consoled the bereaved family. Rao personally liaised with officials to ensure post-mortem formalities were completed without delay and assured the family that compensation from both the government and plant management would be disbursed promptly. He also called on the management to strengthen safety protocols to prevent a recurrence.
Inquiry and Suspensions
A three-member external expert committee, headed by the Director-in-Charge of Bokaro Steel Plant, is conducting an independent inquiry to determine the cause of the explosion. Separately, RINL management has reportedly placed 22 employees under suspension pending the investigation. The suspended personnel are drawn from the Steel Melt Shop, Material Management, and Quality Assurance departments. This is the deadliest industrial accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in recent memory, and the inquiry's findings are expected to shape future safety norms at the facility.
Point of View
But suspension is not accountability. The more important question is whether the SMS-1 unit's ladle maintenance and temperature-monitoring protocols met statutory safety norms before 8 June — and if they did not, who signed off on operations. An external inquiry headed by a Bokaro Steel Plant official is a reasonable first step, but its credibility depends on whether its findings are made public and acted upon. India's public-sector steel industry has a long record of under-investment in safety infrastructure; this tragedy must not become another closed file.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant explosion on 8 June?
A ladle carrying molten steel at approximately 1,500 degrees Celsius exploded at the SMS-1 unit of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), causing molten steel to leak across the work area. A three-member expert committee is currently investigating the precise cause.
How many workers have died in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident?
The death toll has risen to 10 as of 14 June. Eight workers died in the immediate aftermath of the 8 June blast, with Kandula Paidiraju dying on 10 June and G. Suribabu on 14 June.
What compensation has the Andhra Pradesh government announced for the victims?
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced ₹25 lakh each to the families of deceased workers, along with a job in the plant for one family member. Workers seriously injured and in the ICU are to receive ₹10 lakh each, and the plant management will cover all treatment costs.
Who is investigating the RINL blast and what action has been taken so far?
A three-member external expert committee headed by the Director-in-Charge of Bokaro Steel Plant is probing the accident. Separately, RINL management has reportedly suspended 22 employees from the Steel Melt Shop, Material Management, and Quality Assurance departments pending the inquiry's outcome.
What is the current condition of the other injured workers?
Of the six workers initially injured, two have been discharged from hospital. The remaining two continue to receive treatment and are reported to be in a stable condition as of 14 June.
