At least 18 workers were killed and 40 others injured in an explosion and fire at a pharmaceutical plant in southern India on Wednesday, with some of the injured in critical condition.
A massive explosion triggered a fire at a pharmaceutical plant in southern India, killing at least 18 workers and injuring 40 others, police said Thursday.
The death toll rose from 15 as three of the injured died in hospital on Thursday, police officer M. Deepika said, adding that some of the injured were in critical condition.
Andhra Pradesh Chemical Plant Explosion Kills 18, Injures 40
The Press Trust of India news agency reported harrowing scenes with the skin of several workers peeling off. Ambulances transported them to the hospital.
Officials suspect the fire was caused by an electrical fault at the plant, according to media reports. State authorities have ordered an investigation.
Andhra Pradesh Chemical Plant Explosion Kills 18, Injures 40
The explosion occurred at the Escientia Company in the Anakapalle district. The plant is about 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
Relatives of the victims gathered outside the factory, desperate for news of their loved ones. The 5-year-old company manufactures intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
As news of the blast spread, hundreds of concerned family members rushed to the plant. Around 380 employees work two shifts at the facility, with many escaping harm because they were on lunch break when the explosion occurred.
The plant is located in the state's special economic zone at Atchutapuram village, which was established in 2009 and houses over 200 companies. Anakapalle is adjacent to the port city of Vishakhapatnam, a highly industrialized area with a history of industrial accidents, including hazardous chemical leakages.
In 1997, a blast at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation refinery in Visakhapatnam killed 22 people, marking one of the most devastating industrial disasters in the region.
Fires are common in India, where builders and residents often disregard building laws and safety norms. Some buildings even lack basic firefighting equipment.
In 2019, an electrical short circuit sparked a fire in a New Delhi factory producing handbags and other items, killing 43 people. The incident highlighted the urgent need for improved fire safety measures in India.
