Hyderabad– A powerful explosion at a chemical factory in Telangana’s Sangareddy district claimed the lives of 12 workers and left around 30 others injured on Monday, triggering a massive fire and causing widespread destruction at the industrial unit near Hyderabad.
The blast occurred at the Sigachi Chemicals facility in the Pashamylaram industrial area, leading to the collapse of the factory’s three-story manufacturing building and severe damage to adjoining structures. The impact of the explosion was so intense that workers were reportedly thrown several meters into the air. Panic gripped employees of nearby units as flames quickly engulfed the premises.
Eight workers died at the scene, while four others succumbed to injuries in hospitals. Two of the deceased, Abhishek Kumar from Bihar and Nagarjit Tiwari from Odisha, were identified at a hospital in Madinguda. Of the roughly 66 people on-site at the time of the explosion, 12 remain in critical condition, many suffering from severe respiratory damage.
Emergency response teams including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), police, and fire services rushed to the scene. Eleven fire engines battled the blaze and eventually brought it under control. Earthmovers were deployed to clear debris and recover trapped bodies—four were discovered under the rubble of the collapsed structure.
The factory employed a large number of migrant workers from states such as Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. According to initial reports, the blast was not caused by a reactor failure. Labour Minister G. Vivek stated that a malfunction in the air dryer system may have triggered the explosion. The factory manager was among the dead, and most employment records were reportedly destroyed in the fire.
Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha and Labour Minister Vivek visited the site to assess the damage. Raja Narasimha said the factory, which has been operating for over four decades, specializes in the manufacture of microcrystalline cellulose, a compound widely used in pharmaceuticals.
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered condolences to the victims’ families. He directed officials to ensure that all victims receive top-quality medical care. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also expressed shock and directed emergency personnel to prioritize rescue operations and provide the best treatment to the injured.
Senior officials including Director General of Fire Services B. V. Narayana, HYDRAA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath, Sangareddy Collector P. Pravinya, and Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj were on-site overseeing rescue and relief efforts.
An official investigation into the exact cause of the explosion is underway. (Source: IANS)
