Telangana pharma plant explosion: Toll rises to 12, over 30 injured
At least 34 persons were injured in the explosion, triggered by a suspected chemical reaction, Telangana health minister
The toll from the pharma plant explosion in Pashamylaram in Telangana has risen to 12, said Telangana minister Damodara Raja Narasimha.
The explosion took place on Monday (June 30) at a reactor in the plant of Sigachi pharma company in the Pashamylaram industrial estate due to the suspected chemical reaction where fire also broke out.
12 died, 34 injured
At least 34 persons were injured in the explosion, triggered by a suspected chemical reaction, the health minister added.
"As many as 12 people died and 34 people are under treatment. We are hopeful that there would be no more (deaths)," the minister told reporters.
Meanwhile, labour minister G Vivek Venkatswamy said: "Eight people died in the morning. Now, four bodies were found." Both the ministers visited the site.
Police version
Earlier, Inspector General of Police (Multizone) V Satyanarayana, quoting factory sources, said there were 150 people in the factory at the time of the blast. Ninety persons were in the same area where the explosion occurred.
He said the explosion occurred between 9.28 am and 9.35 am. The management immediately reached out to the local police who in turn alerted the fire department.
About ten fire fighting engines were pressed into service, he further said, adding the personnel of NDRF and SDRF were also engaged in the rescue operation. The fire was brought under control, he added.
Asked how many workers were working at the time of the tragedy, he said effort was on to ascertain the exact figure as the person who maintains record of the workers' details is believed to have died.
Ex-gratia relief
PM Modi expressed grief over the fire tragedy and conveyed condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the incident. He wished an early recovery to the injured.
In a post on 'X', he announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed anguish over the incident and directed officials to take all steps to save the trapped workers and provide them advanced medical care, an official release said.
Sigachi Industries Ltd
Sigachi Industries Limited is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering advancements in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Intermediates, Excipients, vitamin-mineral blends, and Operations and Management (O&M) services, according to the company's website.
There was no immediate reaction from the company.
Many feared trapped
Earlier, after the blast, a police official said that the injured have been shifted to hospitals. The rescue operation was in progress, and their condition was not known immediately, he added. Fire tenders were rushed to douse the fire.
Telangana fire officials told reporters the blast took place at Sigachi Pharma Company, Pasamailaram Phase 1. He also said that 11 fire tenders have reached the site.
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However, what is disturbing is that many workers are feared to be trapped inside the factory due to the explosion.
(With agency inputs)