In the worst-ever accident in the history of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), at least nine employees, some of them senior officers, were killed when an oxygen tank in the steel melt shop-II exploded on Wednesday.
Five of the injured with 90 per cent burns, along with four others, were rushed to various hospitals in the city. The toll is likely to mount. VSP General Manager (Projects) D.S. Khalsi is among the seriously injured.
“The bodies were burnt beyond recognition,” INTUC leader Mantri Rajasekhar said. The employees of VSP and M.N. Dastur and Co., the consultant for VSP's expansion programme, were on duty. One of the deceased was said to be of the rank of Deputy General Manager. There was confusion over the number of dead with Gajuwaka MLA Ch. Venkataramaiah, quoting union sources, putting the toll at 15 and Collector Lav Agarwal confirming the death of nine. The incident took place when gas from the newly-commissioned converter backfired. Union leaders said over 20 workers and officers were believed to have been on duty at the time of the accident, which occurred at about 8.30 p.m. “We saw six bodies on the spot and four more in the casualty wing of the Visakha Ukku Hospital,” they said.
Very sad day for the indian industry.Loss to the families of the deceased can't be expressed in words.My condolences to the kin of
the deceased.
Very Sad Incident, Wonder how could it happen when so many safety norms being followed In Steel Plant.Has to be investigated thoroughly an should avoid these types of Incidents
I feel very sorry for those who lost their lovables in an accident. It is the time for government to concentrate on these type of happenings seriously, rather than concentrating on earning money through positions like M.L.A , M.P, etc. please do something for the deserted ones.
Because of high level corruption at management level and using of low cost material and improper safety measures - Very sad
very sad for indian steel industries.As we are trying to enhance the
steel production in india almost double from present capacity by
executing the various greenfield projects & expansion plan in existing
steel production unit.But now it is the time to review at what cost we
are doing this just ignoring the safety measures.It's huge negligence
of safety rules,poor quality of equipment supplies,the consultancy we
are hiring for executing these projects.It seems the proper care is
not taken during commissioning like whether the safety devices is
working properly becoz now a days very high level of interlocking is
provided for safety in operation of any unit in steel plant.It also be
noted whether the expert from main equipment supplier was present that
time.It is really very unfortunate and high level probe is required
in the case.
The root cause of all these accidents is Corruption.
I will miss my colleagues..........Ramesh Dutta was our jewel....we missed our assets........RIP
very sad day for the indian steel industry.For upcoming future management will take serious actions in it.
I am feeling so much sad for this type of incident.this is heart breaking news for andhra pradesh.please take strict action about VSP blast.
This is extremely sad news. I was an engineer with the Keltron team that set up the SMS 1 in the early 90s. We worked with both Khalsi and Karunakar and found them extremely helpful and knowledgable.
Suresh Syed
Wellington NZ
Lack of safety measures are tha cause of accidents.Expansion of the Plant is not an easy task.Why the management is not learning from the past accidents happend?It is ashame for VSP.
Very shocking incident. Whole nation is with the victims' families.
The days are not far,even in Bangalore several oxygen tanks at several industries and hospitals are using liquid oxygen without any licence.will you wait some several people to die before implimenting strict laws.
Really shocking news. Huge loss to their families. This kind of accident may occur at anywhere in any steel plant. Steel plant should take proper steps to control this kind of accidents.
this is shocking news for all of us, but those who are dead and were the bread earner were not the substitutes to earn their families livlihood. Stringent and quick action should be taken to punish those who were wrong doers or responsible for this. They contributed and were the face of fast developing economy for which they pay their lives. Need for some stringent action which will threaten irresponsible and self centered person throught his life.
Shocked. My heart goes with the Vizag Steel fraternity. Loss to the families of the deceased can't be expressed in words. I was a part of Vizag Steel Plant for two decades - from the time of inception in 1976. They lost their lives in service to the Nation - May their souls rest in peace. Let's pray God to give the families strength to bear the loss.
May be this is not the occasion. But let us remind ourselves - greed and indifference come to be the order of the day. This is already costing the country dearly. Unless some wisdom dawns in and we regain the eroding character as a Nation, human misery will continue to plague us and eat away the vitals of our country.
Very sad for the people who fell victims for poor safety measures implemented at the plant.My condolences to the families of the deceased.
It is for the first time that an accident of this magnitude has taken place in the steel plant.A real eye-opener for the administration and "health and safety watchdogs". Please don't kill innocents with your negligence and below par supervision.
Generally, safety culture is very low in industries and particularly in goverement and Public sector industries. Of course, defense in depth design philosopy is there in industries but not much in Indian road transport sector. Safety culture in Operating units of PSUs needs to be enhanced.
Commissioning phase of any unit especiaaly in live plants is fraught with dangers, unless all recommnedations of risk assessments are implemented in toto.
We are good in planning and notorious in implementation.
One must agree that our Government hospitals, with limited resources, come forward to treat trauma patients.
We pray for the piece of departed souls and recovery from the shock for kith & kin.
It should be an eye opening incident. It's very strange that the
management of the company doesn't know how many were there at the spot
when the accident has happened and how many could have been died or
injured due to the incident?
Very sad day for the Indian steel industry. Considering the fact there
was a major accient just a month back, make one feel that management
is not in control. its time that some one in the management is fixed
and terminated. A thorough study of the practices in the plant has to
be made, if necessary by other leading steel industry specialists from
outside VSP. No point in pointing fingers at contractors.There is
saying: 'For every accident there at least are a few near miss
incidents'. Has the management taken note of those near misses!!!.Very
very sad.
Sad day for all steelmakers.
Tragic that such an incident occured inspite of such high standards of safety in modern day melt shops.
Heart breaking to hear these kind of accidents in such a prestigious organization.
Minor accidents have happened in the past, but this is the worst-ever. Improper safety measures??? Lack of proper Management??? Bad Contract??? Lack of proper training???
Hope the management will take stringent action and see that these kind of incidents will not repeat again...
Our heart felt condolences.
Irreparable loss to the families of those who lost their lives.
From the report it looks like,One of the respected leading major
consultant is involved. With so many plants in existance in the
country, such accidents MUST NEVER happen.Was there a mistake in the
Design,proceedures followed,was there any failure in the safety norms
adheared to,is it a failure of the material,equipment,workmanship?
Material/workmanship/equipment failures must not happen if
precomissioning tests were PROPERLY done witnessed.
The impartial study will be useful to avoid recurrence of the same.
Such study must be by TECHNICAL TEAM of EXPERTS & NOT administrative
staff.
Really Horrible and Awful.RIP on those poor souls.Only on May 1st two
ppl were killed.Time to get serious and implement more safe and strict
measures...VSKP Steel plant are you hearing??
The toll is said to be over 16 and likely to increase. This is the 9th
major incident at VSP in a span of one year. The top management of the
plant seem to be oblivious of this fact. My condolences to the kin of
the deceased.
Very sad incident ..i pray that all the other survivors in the blast
recover soon ....
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