TV
The death toll from the massive explosion at Sigachi Industries’ pharma plant in Pashamylaram of Telangana has increased to 40, media reports said on Tuesday. The fatal blast occurred yesterday. Several migrant workers from Odisha were engaged in the plant.
Also Read: 3 children critically injured in explosion in Odisha’s Khordha
According to sources, most of the deceased belonged to states such as Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar.
At least 108 workers were engaged at the pharma plant when the explosion occurred.
“Several bodies were found under the debris while removing it. As many as 31 bodies have been extricated from the debris, while three died in the hospital while undergoing treatment. Last phase of the rescue operation is still underway,” the district Superintendent of Police (SP), Paritosh Pankaj, said PTI yesterday.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the massive explosion has reached 40.
As per media reports, the Odisha Government has sent two officials to Telangana to coordinate the rescue efforts for Odia migrant workers affected by the explosion at the Sigachi Pharma company factory.
The two officials are Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Directorate of Odisha Paribar, and Dr. Chandra Sekhar Hota of the Odisha Police Service (OPS).
The identity of nine bodies has only been established so far, while the remaining bodies need to undergo DNA profiling, a Telangana Revenue Department official expressed.
The fatal accident on Monday is suspected to have been caused by a chemical reaction.
What caused the explosion?
The blast took place at around 9.30 AM inside spray dryer unit of the pharma factory. A sudden pressure build-up triggered fire, which led to the unit’s collapse.
Investigators suspect that fine chemical particles may have ignited within the dryer’s air-handling system. However, the exact cause is being probed by a high-level panel.
