An injured victim, who suffered very severe burns in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) blast recorded a video to his family members, fearing that he might not survive.Mr Paidiraju, who sustained severe burn injuries in the accident, after receiving initial treatment at the Visakha Steel General Hospital, was shifted to the Seven Hills Hospital for advanced medical care.While he was being shifted, Mr. Paidiraju requested the 108 staff to call his eldest son. However, the attempt to connect went unsuccessful. Concerned that he might not get an opportunity to speak to his family, he asked the ambulance staff to record a video message on his behalf.Despite being in immense pain and finding it difficult to speak, Mr. Paidiraju conveyed a heartfelt message to his family. Addressing his eldest son, Mr. Paidiraju urged him to take good care of his younger brother. He said: “Avoid disputes and disagreements, and continue your education. Ensure your younger sibling also studies well.” He also asked his children to look after their mother. Concluding the message affectionately, he addressed his son with the endearing term ‘Daddy’, a nickname many fathers in the region commonly use for their children.Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Dudi Ramesh, who recorded the video, speaking to The Hindu, described the incident as one of the most emotional moments of his career.“It was a very emotional moment. Even I could not hold back my tears. He was barely able to speak, yet he gathered the strength to express his love and concern for his family. Perhaps this is what being a father truly means,” Mr. Ramesh said.He added that as soon as some of Mr. Paidiraju’s relatives reached the hospital, he immediately shared the video message with them and asked them to share it to his son without fail.“This was as important as anything else,” he opined.Mr. Paidiraju, a native of Gangaravaram village, is currently undergoing treatment at a corporate hospital. According to hospital sources, he suffered more than 90% burns and remains in a critical condition.The video of Mr. Paidiraju has also gone viral on social media, and many expressed their grief along with wishing him a speedy recovery. Published - June 09, 2026 08:48 pm IST