BREAKING: Many Feared Killed, Injured As Fire Burns Down Pharmaceutical Factory
Rescue operations have been completed at a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh, India, after a devastating explosion on Wednesday claimed the lives of 17 people and injured nearly 40.
The blast occurred at the Escientia Advanced Sciences facility in the Anakapalli district, marking the state’s most severe industrial accident in recent years.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, with initial suspicions pointing to a chemical reactor malfunction.
Officials are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing the injured to determine if human error contributed to the tragedy.
Nearly 40 people were injured and rescue operations had been completed, the official, Industries Secretary, N. Yuvaraj, told Reuters.
“Preliminary investigation shows there was some vapour leak that led to chemical reactions, which caused the explosion,” added Yuvaraj, who identified the solvent involved as methyl tert-butyl ether.
In a post on X, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, offered condolences to the relatives of the dead.
A fire in the same district last year in a unit of Sahithi Pharma killed two people and injured five.
