The death toll from the massive explosion at the Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical factory in Telangana, India, has tragically risen to 36, according to officials. The blast, which occurred on Monday afternoon, ripped through the facility located in Pashamylaram, about 50km (31 miles) from Hyderabad. The explosion took place in the plant's spray dryer unit, which is used to convert raw materials into powder for drug manufacturing.
Rescue operations are still underway as authorities continue to clear the rubble in search of missing individuals. According to reports, over 140 people were working in the plant when the incident occurred. So far, 58 workers have been identified and are safe. However, many remain unaccounted for, and there are fears that the death toll may continue to rise. Another 36 workers are in the hospital receiving treatment for burns and other injuries.
The impact of the explosion was so severe that the entire structure collapsed. Local residents reported hearing the blast from several kilometers away. The condition of many of the bodies recovered has necessitated the deployment of a specialized medical team to carry out DNA tests for identification. As of Tuesday, 25 of the deceased were yet to be identified.
In response to the tragedy, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced a compensation package for the victims and their families. The families of the deceased will receive ₹1 crore each. Those who are severely injured will receive ₹10 lakh, while those who have sustained injuries but are expected to recover and return to work will be provided ₹5 lakh. As immediate relief, officials were directed to provide ₹1 lakh each to the families of the workers who died and ₹50,000 each to the injured. The state government and Sigachi Industries will bear the medical expenses for those injured in the explosion.
The Telangana government has formed a panel to investigate the cause of the disaster. A special forensic team from Osmania General Hospital is assisting with post-mortem examinations and DNA sample collection. Police have registered an FIR in connection with the explosion and have launched an investigation. According to a senior rescue official, the blast may have been caused by pressure building up inside the spray dryer.
The incident has raised concerns about industrial safety standards in India's rapidly growing pharmaceutical sector. Chief Minister Reddy has instructed officials to conduct inspections of all chemical companies in the state. He asserted that action would be taken against those responsible for the incident and emphasized the need for both the government and industry stakeholders to learn from this tragedy to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Sigachi Industries has temporarily halted operations at the facility for 90 days due to the extensive damage to equipment and structures. The company's stock prices have dropped following the incident. Sigachi Industries is a manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which is used in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and specialty chemicals sectors. The affected plant contributes a significant portion of the company's total production capacity.
