Sangareddy: Fire and rescue personnel during a rescue operation at the site of an explosion at the Sigachi Industries' pharma plant, in Sangareddy district, Telangana, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (PTI Photo)
Hyderabad: In its first-ever statement on Wednesday, July 2, after the deadly blast at its Pashamylaram plant, Telangana pharma company, Sigachi Industries Ltd, stated that the explosion did not occur due to a reactor explosion at the plant.
“As we await the results of the investigation, we would like to clarify that the accident was not caused
by a reactor explosion at the plant, as mentioned in sections of the media. We will continue to send
updates as we receive information from the investigations,” the statement read.
The pharma company also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each to the kin of the deceased who lost their lives in the fire accident.
“We lost 40 valued team members in the accident, while 33 are receiving treatment. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic accident,” the statement read.
The company further said that since the time of the accident, the firm has been coordinating the emergency response, family support, and extending cooperation with the investigation and compliance efforts.
The company said it will continue to send updates as it receives information from the investigations, while the plant operations will remain temporarily suspended for approximately 90 days.
The previous day, chief minister A Revanth Reddy said the state government will engage with the management of the firm to ensure that a compensation of Rs 1 crore is paid to each kin of those who died in the horrific accident.
The CM also said those who are seriously injured will receive Rs 10 lakh, while those who are injured but can resume work after some recovery will be provided Rs 5 lakh.
The Sangareddy police, based on a complaint by a family member of one of the victims, on Monday registered an FIR against the factory management in connection with the explosion under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempting to commit culpable homicide), and 117 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of BNS.
Meanwhile, the search for 13 missing workers who are feared trapped under the debris continues more than 48 hours after the accident. The search teams have deployed huge cranes and JCBs to clear the debris at the blast site.
Heavy rain in the area on Tuesday night hampered the search operation.
The factory was rocked by a blast on Monday morning. According to officials, 143 individuals were at the factory at the time of the explosion in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit.
Only four of the deceased have been identified. As other victims were charred beyond recognition, the authorities continued collecting DNA samples for their identification.
Doctors at the Government Area Hospital in Patancheru conducted DNA tests on 20 bodies. The DNA samples are being collected and stored.
The DNA samples are being sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for profiling and comparison with reference samples from family members to confirm identities. If the DNA matches are confirmed with their relatives, the bodies will be handed over to them.
The majority of the victims were migrant workers from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who visited the accident site on Tuesday, announced compensation of Rs one crore each to the families of the deceased. Authorities handed over Rs one lakh cash as immediate assistance to the families of 11 victims.
The Chief Minister also announced Rs 10 lakh each for those with critical injuries and Rs 5 lakh each for other injured.
Families of all the injured were also given Rs 50,000 each as immediate assistance.
On a complaint filed by a relative of one of the victims, police registered a case against Sigachi Industries in connection with the blast.
(With inputs from agencies)
This post was last modified on July 2, 2025 2:51 pm