Major explosion at Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Steel Plant kills 9 workers: Indian Media
A catastrophic incident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, RINL) in the early hours of June 9, 2026 killed at least nine workers and left several others critically injured after a ladle carrying molten steel failed and triggered a major fire in the steelmaking area.
Plant officials and first responders say the sequence began with a smaller equipment failure that escalated when a ladle containing molten steel ruptured in the melting and continuous-casting section. Molten metal and intense heat spread into adjacent areas, igniting fires and producing explosive steam reactions when molten steel contacted water or cooler surfaces. Fire crews and the plant’s emergency teams battled the blaze through the night before bringing it under control.
Authorities confirmed at least nine fatalities and multiple injuries; several victims were rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Rescue and firefighting teams recovered the deceased from the affected section and continued search-and-rescue and cooling operations to secure remaining plant equipment. Senior state and central officials visited the site, and local hospitals activated emergency protocols to treat burn and trauma victims.
Indian media reported that a multi-agency probe has been ordered to determine the exact cause. Investigators are examining possible equipment failure, ladle lining (refractory) breakdown, operational lapses during heat-transfer procedures, and whether water ingress or other thermal interactions precipitated the violent failure. Plant management has temporarily suspended operations in the affected unit and is cooperating with safety authorities.
