Telangana: Massive Reactor Blast at Sigachi Industries, Claims 12 Lives, Injures Dozens
According to initial reports, the explosion was so powerful that it flung workers up to 100 meters and trapped others under debris and in nearby tents as fires raged.
HYDERABAD– A catastrophic explosion rocked the Sigachi Industries Pvt Ltd facility in Pashamylaram, Sangareddy district, Telangana, on Monday morning, killing at least 12 workers and injuring over 30 others. The incident, which occurred around 9 a.m. at the pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in the Pashamylaram industrial area, was triggered by a chemical reactor blast that sparked a massive fire, engulfing the facility and causing partial structural collapse.
According to initial reports, the explosion was so powerful that it flung workers up to 100 meters and trapped others under debris and in nearby tents as fires raged.
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Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha confirmed the death toll, while Inspector General of Police V Satyanarayana noted that 150 workers were present at the facility during the blast.
Migrant workers from states including Odisha and Uttar Pradesh were among those employed at the plant.
Eleven fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze, with firefighters and earthmovers working tirelessly to clear debris and rescue trapped individuals. District authorities, including Sangareddy District Collector P. Pravinya and Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj, personally supervised the ongoing relief efforts.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow and directed officials to prioritize rescue operations and provide advanced medical care to the injured, while also calling for a detailed report on the incident and immediate safety audits at similar industrial units.
The explosion has raised serious concerns about safety standards in Pashamylaram, an industrial hub with a troubling history of accidents.
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Previous incidents in the region include a 2023 reactor blast that killed three workers and another at a Sangareddy pharmaceutical facility that claimed six lives.
Authorities suspect a chemical reaction caused the blast, but forensic teams and industrial safety inspectors are investigating the exact trigger.
There are also reports of toxic chemicals spreading in the area, prompting officials to monitor air quality. Sigachi Industries, a leading manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose and pharmaceutical excipients, saw its shares plummet by nearly 15% to Rs 47 on the BSE, reflecting investor fears of operational disruptions and regulatory fallout.
The tragedy has sparked calls for stricter safety regulations in Telangana’s industrial zones, with officials vowing to conduct thorough investigations to prevent future incidents. Rescue operations continue as authorities work to account for all workers and assess the full extent of the damage.
