Twelve dead, many injured in explosion at Telangana pharmaceutical plant

At least 12 people were killed, 10 are in critical condition, and another 34 workers suffered serious injuries in a massive explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Telangana’s Sangareddy district on Monday morning, officials confirmed.
The blast occurred around 9:20 a.m. at Sigachi Industries Ltd’s production unit in the Pashamylaram industrial estate. Sigachi is a leading manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), used in pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics.
State health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, who rushed to the scene with labour minister G Vivek and other officials, said rescue teams recovered 10 bodies at the site, while two more workers later died in hospital. Another 34 injured workers were being treated at private hospitals in nearby areas, with about 10 in critical condition.
At the time of the explosion, around 90 employees were on duty. The blast completely destroyed the industrial shed, and the force was so powerful that some workers were reportedly thrown about 100 meters away. The building housing the reactor collapsed, and a nearby structure was also damaged. While most workers managed to escape, some are feared trapped under the rubble.
Rescue efforts continued throughout the day amid fears that more people remain trapped inside the collapsed three-story building. Telangana’s Disaster Response and Fire Services chief Y Nagi Reddy explained that the explosion likely resulted from a pressure buildup during a drying or handling process, which caused the material and the entire unit to blow up.
Labour Minister Gaddam Vivek revealed that 12 injured workers are in the ICU on ventilators with severe burn injuries covering 70 to 80 percent of their bodies. He also noted that the fire destroyed everything inside the factory, including staff records.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
Following the blast, Patancheru police and 11 fire tenders arrived promptly to control the fire and assist in rescue operations. Sangareddy district collector P Pravinya and Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj oversaw the rescue work with support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), state disaster teams, and Hyderabad’s disaster management agency.
In a regulatory filing, Sigachi Industries announced it had suspended production at its Hyderabad plant for 90 days to repair damaged equipment and infrastructure. The company said it was prioritizing the well-being of its employees and coordinating closely with authorities to ensure safety protocols were followed.
The Hyderabad unit is one of three manufacturing facilities for MCC run by Sigachi, producing about 6,000 metric tonnes annually out of a total capacity of 21,700 MT from all its plants combined.
The explosion caused widespread panic among local residents and workers, as thick smoke filled the area, making breathing difficult. Authorities have evacuated people living nearby as a precaution.
Patancheru officials said many of the bodies were badly burnt and only three could be identified so far. Several victims may require DNA testing to confirm their identities.
Tension ran high near the plant as families of missing workers gathered, desperate for news. Some tried to force their way into the factory, leading to clashes with police.
One distraught woman told reporters she had been unable to reach her husband, who was working the first shift, as his phone remained switched off. Relatives demanded updates on their loved ones’ conditions, prompting police to struggle to maintain order.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy and announced compensation for the victims’ families. He tweeted: “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a factory in Sangareddy, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock at the loss of life and assured the government would support the victims’ families. He directed officials to provide the best possible medical care to those injured in the explosion.