A tragic industrial accident at a steel manufacturing unit in Hyderabad on Monday evening resulted in the death of one worker and left another with grievous injuries. The incident occurred due to a catastrophic failure of a furnace operating at extreme temperatures.
Details of the Rangaipally Plant Accident
The accident took place at Agarwal Steel Industries, a factory located in Rangaipally that manufactures TMT rods. According to the Manoharabad police, the disaster unfolded when a 10-tonne furnace suffered a refractory failure. The furnace was operating at a scorching 1,200 degrees Celsius when it developed a puncture, leading to a powerful blast.
A senior police official explained that the puncture caused molten iron to leak and spread across different sections of the manufacturing unit. The workers in the vicinity were exposed to intense heat and radiation, resulting in severe burn injuries. The official clarified that while the incident generated significant smoke from the spilled molten metal, it was not classified as a fire accident.
Victims and Immediate Aftermath
The deceased worker has been identified as Saransh Kumar, aged 35. The injured worker is Rajesh Pandey, aged 53. Both men were employed as crane operators and were originally from the Kanpur district in Bihar.
Following the blast, Rajesh Pandey was rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing care. Saransh Kumar sustained serious burn injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. His condition remains critical.
Police Investigation and Potential Charges
Manoharabad Station House Officer Subhash Goud stated that a formal case will be registered once a complaint is received. The police are actively investigating the precise cause of the equipment failure.
"We are investigating the exact cause of the accident and will decide whether to register the case under charges of negligence or suspicious death against the company owner," SHO Subhash Goud added. The investigation will determine if safety protocols were followed and what led to the fatal refractory failure of the furnace.
