Vizag Steel Plant Accident: Centre announces Rs 25 lakh aid and jobs for victims' families

The Centre has announced a compensation package of Rs 25 lakh and employment support for the next of kin of workers killed in the recent Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident, providing relief to families affected by one of the deadliest industrial tragedies in the public sector steel unit in recent years.

The announcement comes after a catastrophic accident at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)-run Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, where molten iron spilled from a crane-mounted bucket during operations, killing at least eight workers and injuring several others.

According to officials, the accident occurred while molten iron, estimated to be at a temperature of around 1,600 degrees Celsius, was being transported within the plant. The intense heat left workers with fatal injuries, triggering a large-scale rescue and emergency response operation.

The compensation package includes a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for each bereaved family, along with employment opportunities for eligible family members of the deceased workers. The move is aimed at providing long-term support to families that lost their primary earners in the accident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier expressed grief over the tragedy and announced ex gratia assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and injured workers.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also expressed shock over the incident and directed officials to ensure comprehensive relief, medical assistance and support for affected families.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident to determine the exact cause of the molten iron spill and assess whether any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy. Plant operations and safety protocols are also expected to come under scrutiny as officials seek to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, operated by RINL, is one of India's major public sector steel manufacturing facilities and employs thousands of workers directly and indirectly. The latest accident has renewed concerns over industrial safety standards in heavy manufacturing units across the country.