A massive explosion in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on June 8 has claimed the lives of nine persons and severely injured six others, triggering demands from the victims’ kin for accountability and long-term support, while sparking a nationwide debate on industrial safety, management accountability and privatisation. V. Kamalakara Rao reports on how the accident unfolded and how it has further aggravated the suffering of workers who have been on the warpath ever since the Union Government announced its proposal for 100% disinvestment of the plant.