Sigachi blast: Unit had no fire NOC; death toll at 36 as debris nearly cleared
NDRF finds no more bodies at blast site as debris removal work nearly over; police still working on missing persons
The removal of debris at the Sigachi Industries’ pharma plant in Telangana’s Sangareddy that suffered an explosion two days ago is almost over and the number of fatalities from the blast remains at 36, news agency PTI has reported quoting a top district police official.
An official told the news agency on Wednesday (July 2) that the unit did not have a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the Fire Department to operate.
“According to the NDRF team, the debris removal work is almost over. They said no more bodies were found. We are still working on the missing persons. The debris removal process is almost over. But one team each from the SDRF and HYDRAA are there as standby in case of any development,” Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj told PTI.
Also read: Sigachi Pharma blast: Bodies charred, devastated kin await identification at mortuary
Asked if any lapses were found in the factory, Pankaj said it is a technical matter and investigation has to be done by specialist teams.
No NOC from fire department
The Sangareddy police, based on complaint by a family member of one of the victims, have registered an FIR against the factory management in connection with the explosion under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempting to commit culpable homicide), and 117 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of BNS.
Furthermore, a senior official of the Telangana Fire Department said the company has no NoC from the department. There were no adequate safety measures, including fire alarms and heat sensors, in the plant.
“There is a process for obtaining an NOC. It is an online process. Once any firm applies online, a committee will decide on it. This unit has not applied for any NOC and hence we have not issued,” the official told PTI.
Also read: Telangana govt tears into Sigachi bosses for vanishing act after blast
He further said debris clearance is almost over from their end and most of the vehicles have been withdrawn.
DNA profiling on
Sikha Goel, senior IPS office and Director, Telangana Forensic Science Laboratories, said the lab received about 50 samples—both bodies and those of family members for DNA profiling.
“The process of profiling is going on. It has been going on throughout the night. Whatever samples we have received should be over by today,” she told PTI.
A revenue department official on Tuesday said the identities of only 14 bodies have been established while the remaining need to undergo DNA profiling.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had earlier said the state government will engage with the management of the firm to ensure that a compensation of Rs 1 crore is paid to the kin of those who died in the horrific accident, which also left 34 persons injured.
(With agency inputs)