Flames erupt at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant after molten metal spilled from a ladle being moved by a crane, in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the industrial accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, operated by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), in which nine workers died and at least six others suffered severe burns.The accident occurred on June 8, 2026, in the plant’s Steel Melting Shop-1.According to an official media release issued on Thursday (June 11, 2026), a ladle carrying about 150 tonnes of liquid steel, maintained at 1,600°C, suffered a sudden explosion. The molten steel spilled across the shop floor, trapping workers and causing extensive injuries.The accident has angered the workers’ unions, which have alleged that the management failed to follow mandatory safety protocols, leading to the disaster.Taking note of the allegations, which, if substantiated, would represent a grave violation of human rights, the NHRC has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh government. The Commission has directed the State administration to submit a detailed report on the incident within two weeks.Compliance soughtThe NHRC has asked that the report cover the current medical status of the surviving workers being treated for burns, and the details of the disbursement of ex-gratia to the victims and their next of kin. Published - June 11, 2026 05:50 pm IST
