A week after the devastating explosion at the Sigachi Industries Limited's manufacturing unit in Pashamylaram, near Hyderabad, the fate of eight missing workers remains uncertain. The explosion, which occurred on June 30, 2025, in the Sangareddy district of Telangana, has resulted in a confirmed death toll of 44. The plant manufactured Microcrystalline Cellulose powder, a binding agent used in tablets and capsules.
Despite ongoing search and rescue operations, none of the 100 samples of body parts recovered from the debris have matched the DNA of the missing workers' families. Sangareddy district officials have advised the families that identification may be delayed, suggesting the missing individuals may have been completely burnt to ashes.
The eight missing workers have been identified as Rahul Kumar Sharma, G Venkatesh, S Ravi, S Justin, Vijay Kumar Nishad, Akilesh Kuka Nishad, Irfan Ansari, and Shivaji Kumar. Authorities are proceeding with the presumption that they are deceased. The government has decided to provide ₹15 lakhs as interim relief to each of the missing workers' families. The remaining amount of the ₹1 crore ex gratia, which was announced earlier, will be disbursed after further analysis and official declaration of death.
The rescue operations involved personnel from Fire Services, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), HYDRAA, and the police, who have been meticulously combing through the debris for any remaining traces of the missing workers. The process of issuing death certificates is expected to be completed within three months.
The explosion, reportedly caused by air fire pressure, occurred while approximately 143 people were on site. The impact of the blast was so severe that some workers were thrown as far as 100 meters away. Eyewitness accounts describe the horrific scene, with body parts scattered and the factory reduced to ruins.
DNA testing has been crucial in identifying the deceased, as many bodies were charred beyond recognition. Over 70 mutilated body parts were recovered, requiring DNA matching. Ten forensic experts worked in shifts at the Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to expedite the process.
The Sigachi Industries plant had cleared a safety check in December. However, following the blast, the plant has been shut down indefinitely, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion and assess safety protocols. Experts have raised concerns regarding the lack of supervision and adherence to standard operating procedures at the plant, suggesting the tragedy might have been preventable with proper safety measures.
The Telangana government, along with Sigachi Industries, has announced compensation for the victims' families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his anguish and promised financial support to the families.
