Explosion at Indian Pharmaceutical Factory Claims Lives of Over 36 People

A tragic explosion and fire at a pharmaceutical factory in Telangana, India, has resulted in a rising death toll, reaching at least 36 fatalities. Authorities reported that around three dozen individuals sustained injuries in the incident. The fire department discovered the charred remains of 34 workers at the site, which lies about 50 kilometers from Hyderabad, according to G.V.

Narayana Rao, the state’s fire services director. In addition to these, two more workers died in the hospital from severe burns. As the recovery operations continued, officials were sifting through the wreckage of the Sigachi Industries facility to determine if further victims were trapped.

Nearly 30 injured employees were admitted to local hospitals following the explosion that took place on Monday. Rao noted, “The whole structure of the factory has collapsed. The fire has been extinguished, and we anticipate completing debris removal shortly.”

The cause of the explosion has yet to be disclosed by Sigachi Industries, which announced that operations would cease for 90 days due to damage to the plant’s core manufacturing infrastructure. The facility is primarily known for producing microcrystalline cellulose, an ingredient widely utilized in pharmaceuticals. The blast occurred in the factory’s spray dryer unit, which processes raw materials into fine powder.

At the moment of the explosion, Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha confirmed that 108 workers were present. Due to the condition of the bodies, special medical teams have been dispatched to conduct DNA tests. The government has also established a committee to investigate the cause of this tragic incident.

Witnesses reported hearing the explosion from several kilometers away, highlighting the event’s magnitude. As India boasts a strong pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, such industrial accidents underscore the need for stringent safety measures and regulatory oversight to safeguard public health. Following the incident, shares of Sigachi Industries fell by 8% during intra-day trading, adding to a previous decline of nearly 10%.

In an official disclosure, the company described the event as “unfortunate,” and is currently undergoing a thorough site assessment. The affected factory was responsible for over 25% of the company’s annual production capacity.