A reactor blast at a chemical unit in Hyderabad led to a massive fire accident. It claimed 13 lives and left over 20 workers injured.The explosion occurred at Sigachi Chemicals, which is located in the Pashamylaram industrial zone in Patancheru area. The incident took place at around 9 am on Monday.
Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha, who inspected the accident site, said that 13 workers have died so far in the accident and 12 are in critical condition. He said that there were 90 people in the industry when the accident happened, and 22 workers are receiving treatment for burn injuries. He said that the number of victims will be known only when the building debris is removed.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the accident. He directed officials to take all necessary measures to rescue the workers trapped in the incident. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, he also instructed that the injured be provided with the best possible medical treatment.
The explosion triggered a huge fire, which engulfed the premises of Sigachi Chemicals. Firefighters rushed to the spot to douse the fire. Eleven fire engines were pressed into service to control the fire. Police, fire services and other personnel launched rescue and relief operations. Ambulances were also seen at the spot to shift the injured to hospitals.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), Revenue and police were participating in rescue and relief works. The injured were admitted to government and private hospitals. The condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.
According to eye-witnesses, such was the impact of the explosion that workers were tossed in the air and fell several meters away. The manufacturing unit in the factory collapsed under the impact of the blast, while fire spread to the adjoining building within the factory premises.
Several workers were working near the reactor when it exploded. Migrant workers from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and other states were employed in the industrial unit.
BRS chief and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed deep shock over the death of several workers in the massive fire accident at an industrial unit in Pashamailaram. Extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, he expressed concern over reports suggesting that the death toll could rise further.
