Visakhapatnam: A major accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) on Monday claimed nine lives and left six others injured after a ladle containing molten steel exploded at the SMS-2 and NTC-3 units.
The blast caused molten metal to spill across the shop floor, igniting flames and plunging the unit into chaos. Ambulances rushed the injured to private corporate hospitals in Visakhapatnam, but some succumbed to their injuries on the way, while others died during treatment.
Among the victims was G. Suribabu, a 52-year-old contract employee at RINL, who suffered 90 to 95 per cent burns. Though he was alive when shifted to a private hospital, he passed away during treatment. Another worker, K. Pydiraju, aged 50, and also a contract employee with 25 years of service, remains in critical condition.
His cousin, Tambala Tatarao, told the Deccan Chronicle that doctors described Pydiraju’s condition as grave. Tatarao explains that Pydiraju is the sole breadwinner for his family, supporting his wife, a son pursuing a degree, and another son who recently completed his 10th-grade examinations.
More than 16 workers were present at the site when the accident occurred.
The injured were transported by ambulance to different hospitals. Six casualties were reported to the steel plant general hospital, three were shifted to the Seven Hills Hospital, and three to KIMS in Sheela Nagar. At KIMS, Mallikarjuna Rao is being treated for 15 per cent burns.
Arjuna Apparao and Satyanarayana, aged 39, who suffered 10 per cent burns, are reported stable despite being in the ICU and are expected to be moved to the general ward soon. P Srinivasa Rao, a permanent employee aged 48, is undergoing treatment for 40 per cent burns.
Despite the scale of the tragedy, the steel plant management has not issued any statement.
Families of the victims remain in shock, awaiting official word while grappling with the sudden loss and uncertainty surrounding their loved ones.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
