A RINL molten steel ladle accident in Vizag killed eight workers and injured six others at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh, officials said.
The accident occurred at about 4:15 PM IST on Monday, June 8, 2026, during operations at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd facility, also known as Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
Molten Steel Ladle Accident Triggers Fire
Officials said a ladle carrying hot crude steel broke or failed during operations, causing molten steel to spill and triggering a major fire. The metal was estimated to be around 1,500 to 1,600 degrees Celsius.
The Union Ministry of Steel said casting work was underway at Caster-2 of Steel Melt Shop-1 when a sudden and severe explosion occurred before the slide gate could be opened to pour steel into the tundish. A large ball of fire rose toward the shop ceiling, and Overhead Crane-2 later caught fire.
Multiple fire trucks and firefighters were deployed to control the blaze. Six injured workers were taken to private hospitals, where officials said they were in stable condition.
Eight Workers Identified After Vizag Steel Plant Accident
Police identified the deceased as G. V. Apparao, Prabhakar, Bheem Kumar, Krishna Nag, Gold Kumar, Trinadh, Appala Raju and Ramana. Officials said five were plant employees and three were contract laborers.
Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Dr. Shankbratha Bagchi said rescue operations were continuing on Monday evening.
Inquiry Ordered Into RINL Steel Plant Fire
RINL has started an internal investigation into the cause of the accident. The Steel Ministry also formed a three-member external inquiry committee headed by the Director-in-Charge of Bokaro Steel Plant, Steel Authority of India Limited.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief and directed officials to assist affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased worker and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Former chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded a comprehensive inquiry and strict action if responsibility is established.
The accident has renewed concern over worker safety at heavy industrial sites, especially at facilities handling molten steel, cranes and high-temperature casting operations.
