5 dead in reactor blast at bulk drug making unit in Telangana

The blast, which occurred around 5 pm, triggered a fire.

Hyderabad: At least five confirmed to have died and two more feared dead in a deadly blast  in a bulk drug manufacturing unit in Telangana’s Sangareddy on  Wednesday.

One of the reactors at SB Organics in Chandapur village of Hatnoor mandal in Sangareddy district exploded on Wednesday evening. While it is understood that there were at least 60 workers at the time of the blast in the factory,  among them around 15 were working close to the reactor that had exploded. 

The reason for the reactor  blast is yet to be established. Sangareddy police confirmed that four workers from Bihar and  one of the managers of the Plant D Ravi had died and at least 30 were injured.

Among  the 30,  the condition of few is said to be critical. They were all rushed to a nearby private hospital where they are undergoing treatment. Police said the death toll may go up. The police are trying to establish the identity of four workers from Bihar who were confirmed dead.  

SB Organics is a bulk drugs and drug intermediates manufacturing unit on the outskirts of Sangareddy district.  At the factory at least six products are manufactured at any given point of time.

As the fire spread  to the entire factory building and engulfed in thick dark smoke rescue teams are facing  difficulty to douse the fire and also to enter the factory premises.  Sangareddy SP, Ch Rupesh and minister Konda Surekha had also rushed to the spot and were monitoring the situation.