At Least 13 Killed, 34 Injured in Telangana Pharma Plant Explosion

Impact of Blast Was Felt for About 5 KM

- MPOST BUREAU

SANGAREDDY (TELANGANA): At least 13 people lost their lives and 34 others sustained injuries on Monday following an explosion at the Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical facility in Telangana's Sangareddy district.

Health Minister Damodara Raja Narasimha informed reporters that approximately 90 workers were present at the site when the blast occurred. The explosion, suspected to have been caused by a chemical reaction, also led to a fire at the plant.

Later in the evening, a police official said that another body was extricated from the debris, bringing the total number of deaths to 13.

"Eleven bodies were recovered from the blast site and two people died while undergoing treatment at a hospital," the official said.

The explosion was so powerful that some of the workers were thrown nearly 100 metres away, eyewitnesses said.

The cause of the mishap would be known after examination by the technical experts, Narasimha, who visited the accident site along with state Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy, told reporters.

Venkatswamy said 12 of the 34 injured people were critical and put on ventilator support in the hospitals. The respiratory system of these victims is under stress due to the burn injuries, he said.

The government is hopeful that the remaining 22 people will recover soon, he added.