Pawan Kalyan, Lokesh Visit Injured Workers After Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Tragedy

Visakhapatnam, June 2026 : Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and state minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday visited workers injured in the tragic accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, which claimed eight lives and left six others seriously injured. The leaders assured the victims and their families of all possible support from the state government while emphasizing the need for stronger industrial safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Pawan Kalyan visited KIMS Icon Hospital, where some of the injured workers are undergoing treatment. He interacted with the victims and their family members and also held discussions with doctors to assess their medical condition. Expressing deep concern over the tragedy, the Deputy Chief Minister assured the affected families that the state government would bear all medical expenses and extend every possible assistance during this difficult period.

Describing the accident as deeply painful, Pawan Kalyan said the loss of lives had shocked the entire state. He announced that the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant management would provide an ex gratia payment of ₹25 lakh to the families of each deceased worker. In addition, every injured employee would receive financial assistance of ₹10 lakh.

“The government stands firmly with the families of the victims and the injured workers. We will ensure that they receive all necessary support and care,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister also stressed the importance of identifying the causes of the accident and ensuring accountability. He stated that the government would examine whether all mandatory safety measures had been followed by the plant management. A committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Steel has already begun an inquiry into the incident, and Pawan Kalyan said the state government would carefully review its findings and take appropriate follow-up action.

He emphasized that the investigation should cover every aspect of the accident to ensure that lessons are learned and effective preventive measures are implemented. According to him, worker safety must remain the highest priority in industrial operations.

Pawan Kalyan also reiterated the widespread demand that the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant continue as a public sector enterprise. He assured employees and stakeholders that the plant would remain in the public sector and said discussions would soon be held with workers to understand their concerns and address pending issues.

Expressing concern over the increasing number of industrial accidents in and around Visakhapatnam, the Deputy Chief Minister described the trend as alarming. He called upon industrial managements to conduct regular safety audits and urged regulatory authorities to ensure strict compliance with all safety norms and operational guidelines.

State Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar and Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsikrishna Srinivas Yadav accompanied Pawan Kalyan during his visit.

Earlier in the day, Human Resources Development and Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh visited King George Hospital to console the families of the deceased. He later met injured workers undergoing treatment at KIMS Hospital and Seven Hills Hospital.

Accompanied by Union Minister of State for Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and other officials, Lokesh reviewed the medical treatment being provided to the injured and instructed doctors to ensure the best possible care. He also assured the victims’ families that the government would stand by them and provide all necessary assistance.

The accident occurred on Monday when a ladle carrying molten steel exploded inside the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The explosion led to the leakage of a large quantity of molten metal, reportedly heated to around 1,500 degrees Celsius, resulting in one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the region in recent years. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy.