Paidiraju, the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant contract worker who died of the burns he suffered in the June 8 blast. File
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The death toll in the explosion at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) rose to nine on Wednesday (June 10, 2026), after a critically injured contract worker died of burns while undergoing treatment at MGM Seven Hills Hospital.
The dead worker, Paidiraju, 50, was a resident of Gangavaram in Gajuwaka. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Paidiraju was among the six workers seriously injured in the blast at SMS-1 of the VSP on Monday (June 8, 2026).
According to hospital sources, Paidiraju had suffered more than 90% burns in the accident. He was first admitted to Visakha Steel General Hospital and later shifted to MGM Seven Hills Hospital for advanced treatment.
Despite intensive care in the burns ward, he died on Wednesday. His body was later shifted to King George Hospital (KGH) for a post-mortem.
His death left the family grief-stricken. Visakhapatnam South MLA P. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas visited Paidiraju’s house and consoled the family, particularly his two sons. The MLA assured them that the State government would extend all possible help during this difficult time.
Paidiraju’s death drew wide attention after a video he recorded in an ambulance, while being moved from Visakha Steel General Hospital to MGM Seven Hills Hospital, went viral on social media. Fearing that he might not survive, the injured worker recorded a message for his family, despite being in severe pain and struggling to speak.
In the video, Paidiraju addressed his elder son and urged him to take responsibility for the family and look after his younger brother. He told his children to continue their education, stay united, avoid disputes and look after their mother. He ended by affectionately calling his son “Daddy”, a term fathers in the region commonly use for their sons.
The emotional video has touched thousands across social media platforms, with many expressing grief over his passing and offering condolences to the family.
Published – June 10, 2026 01:00 pm IST
