Hyderabad: A reactor blast at Sigachi Chemicals in Hyderabad’s Pasamailaram industrial zone, Patancheru, triggered a massive fire on Monday, June 30, claiming at least 10 lives and injuring over 20 workers.
However, casualties are expected to rise.
Rescue after a fire accident in Hyderabad
The explosion triggered a huge fire, which engulfed the premises of Sigachi Chemicals. Firefighters rushed to the spot to douse the fire. Eleven fire engines were pressed into service to control the fire.
Police, fire services and other personnel launched rescue and relief operations. Ambulances were also seen at the spot to shift the injured to hospitals.
The injured were admitted to government and private hospitals. The condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.
According to witnesses, such was the impact of the explosion that workers were tossed in the air and fell several meters away. The manufacturing unit in the factory collapsed under the impact of the blast, while fire spread to the adjoining building within the factory premises.
Several workers were working near the reactor when it exploded. Migrant workers from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and other states were employed in the industrial unit.
Earthmovers remove debris
The rescue workers were also using earthmovers to remove the debris of the demolished structure, as there are apprehensions that some workers may be trapped under it.
Sangareddy District Collector P Pravinya and Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj also rushed to the spot and were supervising rescue and relief operations.
In order to provide emergency services, ambulances have rushed to the spot. On the other hand, firefighting crews battle the raging flames.
CM expresses shock
Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the fire accident. He directed officials to take all necessary measures to rescue the workers trapped in the incident.
According to the chief minister’s office, he also instructed that the injured be provided with the best possible medical treatment.
Addressing the media following the incident, Patancheru MLA, Mahipal Reddy, said, “The company is running without any safety precautions. Many people have been injured and have died.” He alleged that the company is not revealing the actual data regarding the number of employees dead and injured in the incident.
He sought compensation for the kin of the victims and said, “The families of the injured and deceased should be given jobs. The deceased should be given compensation of Rs 1 crore.”
Telangana Health minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha arrived at the site of the accident and took stock of the situation.
PM Modi announces Rs 2L ex gratia for victims’ families
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the tragic fire incident at a factory in Sangareddy, Telangana, which claimed several lives. He announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the incident.
The official PMO India account shared a message on X, stating: “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.”
It further added: “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.”
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