VSP Blast Death Toll Rises to Nine

Visakhapatnam: K. Paidi Raju, a contract worker at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant who had been among the six injured in the blast that killed eight workers, breathed his last on Wednesday while battling injuries. Known affectionately as “Cable Raju”, he leaves behind his wife and two sons in his native Gangavaram village. Paidi Raju’s death has plunged the village into grief. Locals are mourning the loss of a man who worked at the VSP while also being a trusted cable operator.

Raju’s moments after the accident have left a lasting emotional impact. While critically injured and being transported in an ambulance, he made a video call to his sons. In that call, Raju urged them to care for their mother, continue their education, and maintain harmony among themselves.

His words, “Don’t get angry with your younger brother… ensure he gets a good education… take care of Mom… Bye, Daddy,” have moved the community to tears, underscoring the emotional toll of the accident. Vamsikrishna Srinivas, MLA of the South constituency and Visakhapatnam city president of Jana Sena, visited Raju’s family to offer condolences.

At the KGH mortuary, he spoke with Raju’s eldest son, Varma, offering condolences and describing the worker’s final message as heart-wrenching. With Paidi Raju’s death, the death toll in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident has risen to nine.