Telangana Chemical Factory Blast Kills 8, Injures Over a Dozen; Rescue Operations Ongoing
A devastating reactor explosion followed by a massive fire at a chemical factory in Telangana’s Sangareddy district claimed the lives of at least eight people and left over a dozen injured on Sunday. The incident took place at Sigachi Pharma Company, located in Pasamailaram Phase 1, Medak district. According to officials, the explosion was so powerful that it shattered the structure of the factory, with some workers reportedly thrown nearly 100 metres due to the force of the blast.
Eleven fire tenders were rushed to the scene and are actively engaged in firefighting operations. Videos shared by news agency PTI on social media captured the scale of the tragedy, showing thick black smoke billowing from the factory as fire personnel battled the flames. The intensity of the fire and debris made rescue operations challenging, with fears that several workers might still be trapped under the rubble.
A police official confirmed that 14 injured individuals had been rescued and taken to nearby hospitals. The exact condition of the injured remains unclear, and officials have yet to recover any bodies from the site. Rescue teams, including earthmovers, were deployed to clear the debris and search for trapped workers, while ambulances and emergency services remained on standby.
The explosion triggered widespread panic among workers in the chemical unit and adjacent factories. Many employees, including migrant workers from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and other states, fled the premises in fear of further blasts.
District Collector P. Pravinya and Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj arrived at the site to oversee the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Officials stated that further investigations would be carried out to determine the cause of the blast.
The incident has raised concerns about safety measures in industrial zones and highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by workers in hazardous environments. As rescue operations continue, the administration remains focused on locating any survivors and providing medical assistance to the injured. Further updates are awaited as authorities assess the full scale of the tragedy.
