Death Toll in VSP Blast Rises to 10; 22 Officials Suspended Amid Safety Probe
The deceased has been identified as Suri Babu, a contract worker and a resident of Seetanagaram in Pedagantyada.
Visakhapatnam:Another worker undergoing treatment after the deadly blast at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) has died on Saturday, taking the death toll in the case to 10.
The deceased has been identified as Suri Babu, a contract worker and a resident of Seetanagaram in Pedagantyada.
The massive accident that took place in the Steel Melt Shop-1 of the VSP on June 8 killed eight persons on the spot.
Following the tragedy, RINL, VSP’s corporate entity, constituted a three-member committee to investigate the lapses.
Following the investigation, plant authorities have suspended 22 officials. Sources indicated that most of the suspensions are within the RINL's Quality Assurance and Technology Development (QATD) department, which is responsible for ensuring product quality and innovation. It is said the suspensions came about following discovery of substandard ferroalloys in the plant’s central stores.
J. Mallikarjuna Rao, DGM (Communications) at RINL, explained that the suspension is in accordance with standard procedure to keep officials away from duties during the inquiry/ He maintained that a final decision would be taken once the facts come to light.
Gajuwaka MLA and TD state president Palla Srinivasa Rao visited the King George Hospital to pay respects to Suri Babu’s mortal remains and console his grieving family. He assured them of government support and personally oversaw completion of official formalities, including the post-mortem.
Srinivasa Rao underlined that compensation and assistance would be expedited. He stressed that the government attaches highest priority to the welfare and safety of workers. He asked the plant’s management to remain vigilant and strengthen safety measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.