Toll rises to 38, govt says 11 still missing

The death toll from the explosion at the Sigachi Industries' plant in Pashamylaram has risen to 38 on Wednesday even as the company announced a Rs 1 crore compensation amid allegations of usage of outdated machinery in the unit.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

State Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha, who has been supervising rescue operations at the accident site, said that 11 people were still missing.

Although most of the debris has been cleared, no human remains have been found, the minister further said.

Sangareddy District Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj told news agency that the toll rose to 38.

In a regulatory filing with bourses, Sigachi said the deadly explosion in its plant has killed 40 persons. However, hours after the filing, Amit Raj Sinha, Managing Director & CEO of Sigachi told media persons "there seems to be some over calculation. I believe right now the death toll is at 38".

Replying to a query on the possible cause for the blast, he said "I believe that there is a dust explosion which has taken place".

Further, the company denied it used old machinery.