A devastating explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Pashamylaram industrial estate, Telangana, Sangareddy district, has killed at least 42 people, with rescue operations still underway as more bodies are being recovered. The blast occurred around 9:20 am on Monday at the Sigachi Industries Ltd facility, a major manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose and pharmaceutical ingredients.
Workers Thrown Into Air as Blast Destroys Factory
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the horrifying moment of the explosion. Speaking to the media, they said the force of the blast was so intense that “workers were tossed into the air and thrown several metres away.” Reports indicate that many of the victims were close to the reactor when it exploded.
Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha confirmed that around 90 workers were present at the facility during the blast. He added, “The explosion blew up the industrial shed completely and the force of the blast was so intense that some of the workers were thrown up in the air and they fell about 100 metres away.”
Many of the workers employed at the plant were migrant labourers from states like Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, according to South First.
Patancheru MLA Mahipal Reddy, who visited the site, accused the pharmaceutical company of operating without proper safety protocols. “The company is running without any safety precautions. Many people have been injured and have died,” he told reporters, also alleging that the company was suppressing the actual number of casualties.
Rescue Efforts Ongoing Amid Panic
The explosion led to a complete collapse of the production unit and triggered a large fire that spread to nearby structures within the plant. The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services teams are continuing rescue operations.
Director General Y Nagi Reddy stated, “As per industrial experts, the incident happened during the air handling/drying of Microcrystalline cellulose. We are currently unsure of the number of people under the debris.”
The blast caused panic in nearby communities as thick smoke engulfed the area, triggering breathing issues. Authorities have started evacuating nearby residents as a precaution.
Sigachi Industries Suspends Operations
Sigachi Industries confirmed the incident in a statement: “The incident happened at approximately 9.20 am in the vicinity of our Hyderabad plant located at Pashamylaram, Phase-1.”
Later, the company notified the stock exchange that operations at the Hyderabad unit would be suspended for 90 days for restoration and repairs. “In addition to the human losses, the incident also caused damage to certain ancillary equipment and civil structures within the facility,” the statement read. “While the exact number of injured is currently being confirmed, the well-being of our personnel remains our foremost priority.”
The Hyderabad unit contributes 6,000 MTPA of the company’s total capacity of 21,700 MTPA, with the remaining capacity coming from its two plants in Gujarat.
