Sangareddy Pharma Plant Explosion: Death Toll Rises to 14, Dozens Injured in Tragic Industrial Accident

SANGAREDDY: The devastating explosion at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Telangana’s Sangareddy district on Monday has claimed the lives of 36 workers, state Health Minister Damodara Raja Narasimha confirmed.

The blast, suspected to have been triggered by a chemical reaction, also left 34 people injured, many of whom are receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure the best medical care for the injured. We hope there are no further casualties,” the Health Minister told the media.

Rising Casualties and Ongoing Rescue

Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy, who visited the site, said the death toll had initially stood at eight but later rose after the recovery of additional bodies from the debris. “The toll has now reached 14 as more bodies were recovered,” he confirmed.

The explosion took place in a reactor unit of the Sigachi Pharma plant located in the Pashamylaram industrial estate. The blast occurred sometime between 9:28 AM and 9:35 AM, followed by a major fire that engulfed parts of the facility.

Over 150 Workers on Site

According to Inspector General of Police (Multizone) V Satyanarayana, preliminary reports suggest around 150 people were present at the facility when the explosion occurred. Approximately 90 workers were in the immediate impact zone, making rescue efforts more urgent and complex.

The plant management quickly informed local authorities. The fire department, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), launched swift rescue and firefighting operations. Around ten fire engines were deployed to contain the blaze, which was eventually brought under control.

However, identifying the exact number of people present has proven difficult. The person responsible for maintaining the daily attendance records is believed to be among the deceased, complicating headcount verification.

Government Response and Relief Measures

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of each victim and ₹50,000 for those injured, from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also expressed deep anguish over the explosion. According to an official release, he has directed state officials to prioritise rescue operations and ensure advanced medical treatment for the injured.

About the Company

Sigachi Industries Limited, as per its official website, is involved in the manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), intermediates, excipients, and vitamin-mineral blends, and also provides Operations & Management (O&M) services for the pharmaceutical industry.

As of now, the company has not issued a formal statement regarding the incident.

Investigation Underway

Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the explosion. Initial indications suggest a chemical reaction may have occurred in the reactor unit, but officials are yet to confirm specifics. Safety audits, forensic analysis, and inquiries are expected to follow.

This tragic event has raised fresh concerns about industrial safety standards, particularly in hazardous sectors like pharmaceuticals and chemicals. A full inquiry is expected to be launched to identify lapses, if any, and ensure accountability.