SANGAREDDY, TELANGANA — At least 14 people, most of them workers, were killed and 35 others injured in a massive blast Monday morning at a chemical factory in Sangareddy district.
The explosion occurred around 9:30 a.m. during duty hours at Sigachi Chemicals in the Pashamylaram industrial estate. The blast was so intense that it flattened a large portion of the three-storey building, trapping dozens inside, officials said.
Rescue teams, including 11 fire tenders and the State Disaster Response Force, worked into the evening to search for survivors under the debris. A total of 61 people were on-site when the explosion happened. Among the deceased was the factory manager.
According to preliminary findings, the blast may have been triggered by pressure building up inside a spray dryer used in the production of microcrystalline cellulose, a fine powder widely used in pharmaceuticals. “Fine dust chemical particles appear to have accelerated the explosion and fire,” a senior rescue official said.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has appointed a high-level committee to investigate the incident and recommend safety measures to prevent similar disasters. The five-member panel includes the Chief Secretary, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), Principal Secretaries for Labour and Health, and the Additional Director General of Fire Services.
“In addition to probing this mishap, the committee will submit a report on ways to prevent such accidents from reoccurring,” Reddy said.
Most of the workers were reportedly migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The state government and several political leaders expressed condolences and pledged compensation for the victims’ families.
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President Mahesh Kumar Goud said, “Heartfelt condolences to the families of the workers who lost their lives. Deeply saddened by the condition of injured workers who remain critical.”
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy also offered condolences and said the Government of India would provide financial assistance to the bereaved families.
Former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao urged authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured and demanded a comprehensive safety audit across industrial units in the state.
“The reactor blast at Patancheru’s Pashamylaram Industrial Area is extremely tragic,” K.T. Rama Rao said. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased.”
