The devastating explosion at the Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical plant in Pashamylaram has claimed at least 35 lives, with the toll expected to rise as rescue teams continue to clear debris. The blast, which occurred on Monday morning between 8:15 am and 9:35 am, was reportedly triggered by a chemical reaction inside a reactor, flattening the industrial shed and throwing workers several feet away.
According to Sangareddy District Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj, “Several bodies have been found under the debris while removing it. As many as 31 bodies have been extricated from the debris while three died in hospital while undergoing treatment. The last leg of the rescue operation is still going on.”
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accompanied by senior cabinet members, visited the blast site, with Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha confirming that the state government had mobilised all necessary resources for emergency and relief operations.
Survivors Battle Severe Injuries, Factory Shut for 90 Days Pending Probe
Emergency response teams, including NDRF, SDF, local fire personnel, and police, were deployed to manage firefighting and rescue operations. Two fire-fighting robots were also brought in to handle the hazardous site. Despite all efforts, hospital sources have confirmed a grim picture from the tragedy’s aftermath.
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Pranaam Hospitals in Miyapur received 21 patients, two of whom were brought dead and another who succumbed the next morning. Dhruva Hospitals in Patancheru admitted 11 patients, of which five are on ventilators. Seven victims have burns ranging from 40% to 80%, while two sustained 10% burns.
A revenue official stated that only nine bodies have been identified so far. With most of the deceased being migrant workers from Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar, DNA profiling will be required to identify the remaining victims.
Sigachi Industries Limited, which manufactures APIs, intermediates, and excipients, has suspended operations at the site for 90 days, citing significant infrastructure damage.
To determine the cause and prevent future incidents, the Telangana government has constituted a five-member inquiry committee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences and announced ex-gratia assistance for the families of the victims.
This incident has once again highlighted serious concerns over industrial safety in the Sangareddy-Pashamylaram industrial corridor, which has witnessed fatal accidents in recent years.
