12 dead, 34 injured in Telangana factory blast

Twelve persons died and 34 suffered injuries in a blast in a pharma plant in Telangana's Sangareddy district, about 50 km away from Hyderabad, on Monday.

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About 90 persons were working in the plant of Sigachi Industries when the tragedy occurred, state Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha, who visited the accident site along with Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy, told reporters.

The cause of the accident would be known after examination by the technical experts, he said.

Venkatswamy said 12 of the 34 injured were critical and put on ventilator support in the hospitals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and conveyed condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the incident. He wished an early recovery to the injured.

In a post on 'X', he announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed anguish over the incident and directed officials to take all steps to save the trapped workers and provide them advanced medical care, an official release said.

The company said it deeply mourned the loss of lives and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. The firm was extending all possible support to those affected, it added.

Y Nagi Reddy, Director General of the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services, said a blast was being suspected in the drying unit of the plant.

"Industrial experts are saying that during the drying process, or a handling process, the pressure could have built up followed by the blast," Reddy told reporters.

He said the removal of debris was still ongoing at the site and that the search was on for any people trapped in the collapsed three-storey building.

Inspector General of Police (Multizone) V Satyanarayana said the impact of the blast was felt for about five kilometres in the Pashamylaram area.

Labour Minister Venkatswamy said the in-charge of the factory also lost his life in the accident and "there is nobody from the factory side to give us really what happened," he said.

After the incident, the District Collector and Superintendent of Police reached the spot within 30 minutes, he said.

He said DNA tests were being conducted in hospitals to identify some of the deceased.

At least half a dozen bodies should undergo DNA profiling to establish the identity, as they were charred beyond recognition, said an official.

Sigachi Industries Limited is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering advancements in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates, excipients, vitamin-mineral blends, and operations and management services, according to the company's website.