Telangana pharma plant explosion: Some bodies need DNA profiling for identification, says official

A Ranga Rao, Tahasildar of Patancheru, said so far only three bodies have been identified and six were charred beyond recognition while three more are awaiting extrication from debris.

Hyderabad: It was a normal Monday morning for workers and employees at Sigachi Industries as they arrived at the office after the weekend. The general shift had started at around 9 am, with workers settling into their daily duties, when the blast occurred at approximately 9:31 am.

The plant manager, who has yet to be identified, had entered the administrative building just minutes before the explosion. The building subsequently collapsed in the blast. "The manager also died in the blast, which is why it became difficult to understand the identity of those present on the spot and determine how many were there," said State Labour Minister G Vivek Venkata Swamy.

The blast and subsequent fire were so intense that at least six bodies require DNA profiling to establish the victims' identities. A senior revenue official said that so far only three bodies have been identified, while six were charred beyond recognition and three more await extraction from the debris.

"There is nobody from the factory side to tell us what really happened," the Labour Minister said, referring to the death of the plant manager.

SDRF teams have been deployed to clear debris and ensure no workers remain trapped. Inspector General of Police (Multizone) V Satyanarayana said the blast's impact was felt within a five-kilometer radius of the Pashamylaram area.

After the incident, Sangareddy District Collector P Pravinya and Police Superintendent Paritosh Pankaj reached the spot to supervise rescue activities. They have also requested outsiders to stay away from the site.

A total of 11 fire stations and three Disaster Response Force (DRF) units have been mobilized for the ongoing rescue efforts. The manufacturing unit collapsed under the explosion's force, and the resulting fire quickly spread to adjoining buildings within the factory premises.

Family members of workers have gathered at the site, many unable to reach their relatives by phone, adding to the anxiety surrounding the disaster. Several workers were reportedly near the reactor when it exploded. Many of the laborers employed at the unit were migrants from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and other states.

Patancheru MLA Mahipal Reddy alleged that the company was operating without proper safety measures, accusing the management of not revealing the actual number of casualties. He demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and job support for the relatives of both the injured and those who lost their lives.

Sigachi Industries Limited is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering advancements in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Intermediates, Excipients, vitamin-mineral blends, and Operations and Management (O&M) services, according to the company's website.