The recent explosion in the port city of Visakhapatnam reflects the human costs of an industrial tragedy that dominates the headlines for a few days and is forgotten till another tragedy strikes. A heart-rending video recorded on June 8 and now going viral on social media, depicting a father’s final message to his son.

One of the victims, 53-year-old K. Paidiraju, knew that his time was running out, as he suffered over 90% burns in a massive explosion that occurred in the Plant. The skin on his chest had been burnt away, and every breath was an agonising struggle. Yet his voice carried the weight of a father’s final message.

“Varma… Daddy,” he whispered, addressing his eldest son. “Take care of your brother. Take care of your mother. Continue your studies. Don’t fight with anyone. Stay united.”

Within 48 hours, on June 10, Paidiraju succumbed to his injuries at MGM Seven Hills Hospital in Visakhapatnam, becoming the ninth fatality of the devastating industrial disaster at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

The video soon went viral across social media platforms, emerging as the haunting symbol of a tragedy that reduced hardworking men to ashes within seconds.

Among those who perished were technicians Gonitha Bhanu Kumar, G.V. Appa Rao and M. Krishna Nagu; general foreman K. Prabhakar Rao; and a promising young manager, Bheem Kumar, also known across the Plant as “Gold Kumar”.

The intensity of the inferno was such that several bodies recovered from the wreckage of Steel Melting Shop-1 (SMS-1) were beyond recognition. Forensic teams at the King George Hospital (KGH) mortuary had to rely on DNA analysis to identify the victims and hand over their remains to grieving families.

As investigators continue examining the twisted remains of Caster-2, the human cost of the disaster is visible across Visakhapatnam.

In Gangavaram, not far from the steel plant, Paidiraju’s home is filled with mourners. His wife remains inconsolable, while his two sons repeatedly watch the video carrying their father’s final words.

Heartbroken families

Like Paidiraju’s family, relatives of the other victims are struggling to come to terms with their loss.

Appa Rao’s wife, Rachamma, recalled that her husband, on the fateful day, left for the Plant from a hospital where their elder son was admitted due to a high fever. After arriving, Rachamma called Appa Rao, when he asked her to “take care of the children”, a visibly grief-stricken Rachamma recounted it to be her husband’s last words.

Besides their grief, the victims’ kin are demanding accountability and long-term support.

“We need immediate government intervention and livelihood support. Fair compensation alone is not enough. We need security for our future,” several family members said outside the KGH mortuary while awaiting the release of the bodies.

The anatomy of an inferno

To understand the magnitude of the disaster, one must know the scale of the operation inside SMS-1.

At around 4:15 p.m. on June 8, a massive industrial ladle, identified as Ladle No. 19, was suspended from an overhead crane. It contained approximately 150 tonnes of molten steel heated to nearly 1,500°C.

The molten metal had been processed through converters and was being positioned above the casting machine for transfer into a tundish before entering the continuous casting process.

Workers stationed below were carrying out routine preparations for the opening of the ladle’s mechanical slide gate.

Then, without warning, disaster struck.

According to preliminary findings compiled by the Chief Inspector of Factories, gases trapped inside the molten steel may have caused a sudden pressure build-up. Before the slide gate could be opened, an explosion ripped through the vessel.

Ravi, a supervising technician working nearby, vividly recalls the horrifying moment.

“I heard a sound like a supersonic bomb blast. Within seconds, a huge ball of fire shot up nearly 80 feet to the ceiling. Overhead Crane-2 caught fire almost instantly. The molten steel did not simply spill. It exploded outward like pressurised foam, raining down like volcanic lava over a vast area. We ran for our lives, but those directly underneath had no chance,” he said.

The molten steel, glowing white-hot at temperatures approaching 1,600°C, instantly engulfed the workers below. Several were killed on the spot, while others suffered catastrophic burns.

Political reverberations

The tragedy quickly acquired political dimensions.

As RINL is a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise, the accident triggered a national debate on industrial safety, management accountability and privatisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.

Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy arrived in Visakhapatnam shortly after midnight on June 9. Accompanied by Union Civil Aviation Minister and Srikakulam MP, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, he visited the injured workers undergoing treatment at various hospitals and reviewed the situation.

Kumaraswamy announced a relief package of ₹25 lakh for the family of each deceased worker, along with a permanent job in RINL for an eligible family member.

For the injured, compensation of ₹10 lakh each was announced, while the company committed to bearing the full cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu closely monitored the situation from Amaravati and directed officials to ensure speedy rescue and relief operations.

State IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh visited the accident site and met the bereaved families.

“We are not merely providing financial assistance and moving on. After the mourning period is over, we will invite the affected families to Amaravati and discuss long-term support measures, including education for their children and their overall welfare,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also raised questions regarding industrial safety protocols, pointing to reports of technical issues in a nearby unit a day before the accident.

Meanwhile, YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded a transparent and independent investigation into the incident, alleging that safety standards may have suffered due to the Plant’s financial difficulties.

The disinvestment debate

Beyond the immediate tragedy lies a larger and more contentious issue. For several years, workers and trade unions have been protesting against the proposed 100% disinvestment of RINL by the Union Government.

Many employees believe that the Plant’s financial difficulties have directly affected safety standards.

Trade union leaders, including D. Adinarayana, J. Ayodhya Ramu and Mantri Rajasekhar, argue that the company has been struggling under severe financial pressure, resulting in reduced operational capacity and a shortage of funds for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.

“When a large steel plant is starved of resources, the first casualties are preventive maintenance, safety audits and equipment replacement,” Mr. Adinarayana said.

Ayodhya Ramu pointed to increasing dependence on contract labour in specialised operations.

“There is a severe shortage of regular employees. Many critical functions are now being handled by contract workers who may not have the same level of training and experience. This creates additional risks in a highly hazardous environment,” Mr. Ramu said.

However, Minister Nara Lokesh rejected attempts to link the accident directly to privatisation. He noted that the Central government had recently extended substantial financial support to RINL to stabilise operations and address debt-related concerns.

Despite such assurances, workers remain sceptical. Many believe that unless the Plant secures captive iron ore mines and achieves greater financial stability, it will continue facing operational and safety challenges.

Seeking Accountability

To determine the exact cause of the explosion, the Ministry of Steel has constituted a three-member independent inquiry committee headed by the Director-in-Charge of SAIL’s Bokaro Steel Plant.

The committee is expected to examine several critical issues.

Why did the safety systems fail to detect possible gas accumulation inside the molten steel? Was the refractory lining of the ladle adequately monitored and maintained? Were there any operational pressures to accelerate production despite warning signs?

The answers to these questions will be crucial in determining accountability and preventing future tragedies.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also taken cognisance of the incident and sought a detailed report from the Andhra Pradesh government within two weeks. The NHRC has requested information on the condition of the injured workers, the compensation provided, and the measures being taken for the affected families.

A legacy written in steel and blood

This is not the first time the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has witnessed such tragedy.

Popularly known as “Vizag Steel”, the Plant occupies a unique place in the socio-political history of Andhra Pradesh. It emerged from the historic “Visakha Ukku–Andhrula Hakku” movement of the 1960s, during which 32 protestors lost their lives in police firing while demanding a steel plant for the State.

For many people, therefore, the Plant is more than an industrial unit – it is a symbol of regional pride and sacrifice.

Yet its history has also been scarred by repeated industrial accidents.

The darkest chapter occurred in June 2012, when an explosion in the oxygen control unit of SMS-2 claimed 19 lives, including senior officials and union leaders.

In the years that followed, minor gas leaks, pressure valve failures and other accidents periodically claimed lives and exposed vulnerabilities in safety systems.

In May 2022, an explosion at Blast Furnace 3 injured several workers and renewed concerns about safety standards.

Trade unions argue that a common thread runs through these tragedies. According to them, chronic staff shortages, delayed maintenance schedules and excessive dependence on contract labour have steadily weakened the Plant’s safety culture.

“The problem is not a lack of engineering expertise. It is a gradual erosion of safety practices,” said a senior trade union leader.

For the people of Visakhapatnam, the steel plant remains a symbol of sacrifice, pride and perseverance. But every industrial accident chips away at that legacy.

As investigations continue and families mourn their loved ones’ deaths, one painful question lingers: how many more lives must be lost before industrial safety becomes non-negotiable?

Until that question is answered, the proud moniker of “Ukku Nagaram” (Steel City) will continue to carry the bitter taste of avoidable tragedy.