13 killed, 33 injured in reactor blast at Andhra Pradesh pharma unit

Anakapalli, August 21

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Thirteen persons were killed and 33 injured in a reactor explosion at a pharmaceutical unit in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli on Wednesday, officials said.

The damage could have been worse but for the lunch break that saw fewer workers in the plant when the blaze erupted. Harrowing scenes unfolded at the special economic zone where the fire ripped through the pharma company. Injured workers with torn clothes and bleeding injuries were seen being shifted to hospitals in ambulances.

District Collector Vijaya Krishnan said the fire broke out at 2.15 pm at Escientia Advanced Science, which manufactures intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. It started production in April 2019 with an investment of Rs 200 crore.

“The factory operates with 381 employees in two shifts. The blast occurred in lunch time. Therefore, the staff presence was less,” he said.

There was panic among workers, who ran out for safety. The injured were shifted to different hospitals in Anakapalli and Atchutapuram. Such was the impact of the blast that the slab of the first floor of the building collapsed. — PTI/IANS