Barely a fortnight after the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) blast that left 10 workers dead, tragedy struck once again in the undivided Visakhapatnam district. Two workers lost their lives in an explosion at a Dakshin Energy unit in Parawada Industrial Park in Anakapalli district, on Tuesday, reigniting concerns over industrial safety and the protection of workers.

The victims were identified as B. Trinadh (24) of Jagannapeta in Atchutapuram mandal, and V. Venkatesh (34) of Govada in Anakapalli.

According to the Parawada police, the incident reportedly occurred at around 5.30 a.m. Two workers who were in the night shift died in the accident. The blast set off a fire that sent thick smoke and flames into the sky and caused panic in the industrial area.

Inspector of Parawada Police Station, L. Bhaskar Rao said that the police and fire services were called in as soon as word reached them, and four fire tenders from Anakapalli and Parawada were rushed to the spot. The firemen took around 90 minutes to put out the fire.

DSP Parawada Sub-Division, Mr Mohan Rao said that the unit makes plastic pyrolysis oil from waste plastic. The explosion is suspected to have happened during the processing of waste plastic by heating it to high temperatures, for pyrolysis oil. The cause was not yet known and would be settled only after an inquiry by the Factories Department, he said.

Govt. will take serious view: ML

Local MLA (Pendurthi) Panchakarla Ramesh Babu visited the site on Tuesday and voiced concern over the repeated inAdustrial accidents despite regular safety reviews, assurances from industries and constant monitoring by government departments.

“From the Chief Minister to officials at the grassroots level, everyone has been stressing the need for strict safety compliance. Yet, accidents are recurring, which is extremely frustrating and concerning. We will take this incident very seriously and examine every aspect of it,” Mr. Ramesh Babu said.

Asked about ex gratia for the families, the MLA said, “The deceased workers were young and had many responsibilities. Their families are heavily dependent on them. We will take the plight of the affected families into consideration and discuss the matter with higher authorities. A decision regarding compensation and other support measures will be taken soon.”

Union raises concern

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader G. Satyanarayana raising concerns over safety measures being taken in the industries, demanded that a compensation of ₹1 crore should be handed over to the victims’ families.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan expressed grief and conveyed their condolences to the families of the dead. They sought details from district officials and asked the administration to extend all support to the affected families.

Expressing shock, Home Minister V. Anitha spoke over phone to the District Collector. She assured that the State government would stand by the victims’ families and bring in stricter safety norms at industrial units.

Labour Minister Vasamsetti Subhash ordered a full inquiry into the cause and said strict action would follow against anyone found negligent.

Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.