Factory blast toll rises to 36; CM announces Rs10m relief

'NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE LOST SO MANY LIVES IN A SINGLE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT'

- BY STEPHEN N R.

The death toll in the massive chemical factory explosion in southern India's Telangana state has climbed to 36, as rescue teams continue to clear debris and search for survivors trapped under the rubble.

The tragedy unfolded on Monday at Sigachi Industries, a pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing unit located in the Pashamylaram industrial area of Sangareddy district, around 50 kilometres from Hyderabad.

Explosion heard 5km away

Described as one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the region's recent history, the explosion caused a catastrophic collapse of the factory's three-storey structure, leaving piles of twisted steel and concrete in its wake. Eyewitnesses reported that the blast was so powerful it was heard from up to five kilometres away. A fire engulfed the facility following the explosion, requiring 15 fire engines to bring it under control, IANS said.