Flames erupting in the SMS-1 unit of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in Visakhapatnam on June 8, 2026. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The death toll in the industrial accident at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), rose to 10 on Saturday following the death of another worker while undergoing treatment at the MGM Seven Hills Hospital.The deceased was identified as Gokivada Suribabu, a contract worker, who had suffered severe burns in the accident at the Steel Melt Shop-1 (SMS-1) of the plant on June 8. He is survived by his wife Varalakshmi and their two children, Lokesh and Parimala.Eight workers had lost their lives in the accident, while another, identified as Paidiraju, succumbed to the burns earlier this week.The accident took place when a ladle containing approximately 150 tonnes of molten steel, heated to a temperature of around 1,500° C to 1,600° C, exploded.Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on the management to address the concerns raised by the trade unions, which include allegations of manpower shortage, inadequate maintenance, and prioritisation of production targets over stringent safety protocols.A three-member external expert committee, led by the Director in-charge of the Bokaro Steel Plant, is currently conducting an inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and officials of the Central government continue to monitor the situation. Compensation and job assistance packages have already been announced for the families of the deceased. Published - June 13, 2026 06:29 pm IST
