The death toll from the catastrophic reactor explosion at a chemical plant in Telangana has tragically climbed to 42, with rescue operations continuing amidst the debris. The incident, which occurred at the Sigachi Chemicals facility in the Patancheru industrial area of Sangareddy district, has also left dozens injured, many critically, raising serious concerns about industrial safety protocols in the region.
The massive explosion, suspected to have been triggered by a chemical reaction within a reactor unit, ripped through the factory on Monday, flattening large sections of the three-storey building and causing a massive fire. The force of the blast was so immense that workers were reportedly flung up to 100 metres away, and the sound was heard up to 2 kilometres from the site. Atmospheric temperatures at the core of the explosion are estimated to have soared to 700-800°C.
Rescue efforts have been arduous, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Revenue department, and Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) working tirelessly to recover bodies from the rubble. The release of chemical gases following the blast further hampered initial operations. Earthmovers have been deployed to clear the extensive debris as the search for more victims continues.
As of Tuesday morning, only a fraction of the recovered bodies have been identified, necessitating DNA tests to establish identities and facilitate their return to grieving families. Reports indicate that approximately 118 workers were present in the factory unit, along with 32 administrative staff and three security guards at the time of the incident.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is scheduled to visit the accident site today, following a visit to the hospitals where the injured are undergoing treatment. State officials, including Congress MLA Jagga Reddy, have assured bereaved families of government support, including ex-gratia payments in addition to any central government compensation.
A five-member committee, led by Chief Secretary A. Ramakrishna Rao, has been formed to investigate the exact cause of the explosion. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) will also conduct an independent investigation at the factory.
This tragic incident highlights a disturbing trend of industrial accidents in Telangana’s chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly in the Pashamylaram and Patancheru industrial zones. Over the past 30 months, the state has witnessed at least 10 major industrial accidents involving reactor and dryer explosions, resulting in approximately 25 fatalities and over 70 injuries even before this latest disaster. Such recurring incidents underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive review and stringent enforcement of safety regulations across industrial units to prevent further loss of life.