Burned Beyond Recognition: 36 Killed in India Pharmaceutical Factory Explosion

Deadly Blast Hits Telangana Drug Facility

A deadly explosion and fire at a pharmaceutical facility in southern India killed at least 36 people and injured more than three dozen others on June 30. This incident underscores persistent worries about industrial safety in the nation’s thriving pharmaceutical industry.

The tragedy happened at the Sangareddy district facility of Sigachi Industries, which is roughly 50 kilometers from Hyderabad, the state capital of Telangana. More than 100 workers were believed to be inside the factory when the blast erupted at approximately 9am.

Officials later confirmed the fire originated in the spray dryer unit, a section used for converting raw materials into powdered drug ingredients.

Search and Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Emergency personnel recovered 34 burnt bodies from the debris, and two other workers died in the hospital from their burn injuries. Rescue teams continue clearing the collapsed structure in search of any additional victims.

Authorities said the blast completely gutted the structure and initiated DNA testing to identify 25 severely burned victims. The state government has deployed a specialized medical team for forensic procedures. They also set up an investigative panel to determine the cause of the explosion.

Dozens Hospitalised

Approximately 36 injured workers remain hospitalised with varying degrees of burns and trauma. Residents nearby heard the powerful explosion from several kilometres away.

Government officials confirmed that 108 employees were on site at the time. Several survivors said rescuers freed them after they were briefly trapped under debris.

Safety and Oversight in Question

The global community refers to India as the “pharmacy of the world” because it exports affordable generic drugs and vaccines to many countries. Industrial accidents are still frequent, though, particularly in factories that handle volatile chemicals. Inadequate safety protocols, overcrowding, and poor regulation frequently cause high casualty rates in such incidents.

This most recent tragedy comes after a string of similar incidents in recent years. A 2024 firecracker factory explosion in Tamil Nadu claimed 11 lives and a 2017 pharma plant fire in Andhra Pradesh claimed 17 lives.

About Sigachi Industries

Sigachi Industries Limited is a prominent Indian producer of pharmaceutical excipients, including active ingredients, intermediates, and vitamin blends. The company operates five facilities across India and has subsidiaries in the United States and United Arab Emirates.

The Telangana state government has pledged to hold those responsible accountable and plans to release preliminary findings from the investigation in the coming weeks.

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An explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in India’s Telangana state has killed at least 36 people. People reported hearing the blast at the plant in Sangreddy from kilometres away. #news

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