Atleast about 12 people have been confirmed dead following a deadly explosion at a chemical plant in India according to local media reports.
State Labour Minister Vivek Venkataswamy told reporters that “several injured people have been hospitalised.” The blast reportedly took place between 9:28 am and 9:35 am.
According to images broadcast by local television, thick plumes of smoke ascended into the sky as the facility burned completely reduced to rubble in the Sangareddy district.
“We have recovered 12 bodies so far,” local rescue official B. Nagehswara Rao told media “We are searching the rubble for more bodies.”
About 108 employees were reportedly on duty at the time of the blast. Around 34 persons sustained injuries and were shifted to four different hospitals.
The explosion, suspected to have been caused by a reactor blast, triggered a massive fire, engulfing parts of the facility and causing panic in the surrounding areas.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
He announced an ex-gratia payment 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.
Sigachi Industries Limited, according to its website, is a pharmaceutical company engaged in manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Intermediates, Excipients, vitamin-mineral blends, and providing Operations and Management (O&M) services.