A devastating explosion at the Sigachi Industries' pharma plant in Telangana's Sangareddy district has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with the death toll climbing to 34. The incident, which occurred on Monday, involved a suspected chemical reaction that triggered a massive fire. Approximately 90 people were working at the plant when the explosion ripped through the facility. The impact of the blast was so severe that some workers were thrown as far as 100 meters away from the site.
In the immediate aftermath, rescue operations were launched to assist trapped workers. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), HYDRAA, and the Telangana Fire Disaster Response were involved in the efforts. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, which had caused part of the building to collapse. Authorities are working to confirm the exact number of workers present during the explosion, complicated by the presumed death of the individual responsible for maintaining attendance records.
The Telangana state government has formed a five-member committee, headed by Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, to probe the incident and monitor the ongoing rescue operations. The panel will investigate the cause of the explosion and assess safety protocols at the facility. State Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy stated that technical experts would examine the site to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed officials to take all necessary steps to rescue trapped workers and provide advanced medical care to the injured. State Health Minister Damodara Raja Narasimha visited the site and confirmed that 34 injured workers were receiving treatment in hospitals, with some in critical condition. The government has assured full support to the victims and their families. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma expressed condolences and instructed officials to provide all possible assistance to the victims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He expressed anguish over the loss of lives and announced compensation for the families of the deceased and those injured.
Sigachi Industries, where the explosion occurred, is a manufacturer of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) and pharmaceutical powders. The company has a diversified presence in the pharmaceuticals, food, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics sectors. The explosion has raised concerns about safety standards in the industry and prompted calls for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
