Massive Explosion at Hyderabad Pharma Unit Kills 17, Injures 30

 Massive Explosion at Hyderabad Pharma Unit Kills 17, Injures 30

Hyderabad, July 1 – A powerful explosion tore through a pharmaceutical unit of Sigachi Industries in Pashamylaram, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, on Monday morning, leaving at least 17 workers dead and 30 injured. The blast, believed to have been triggered by a suspected air-handling unit failure, caused widespread devastation, including a partial building collapse that trapped many under the rubble.

Most of the victims were migrant workers from Bihar and West Bengal. At the time of the explosion, around 80 workers were on duty in the production area, operating on the factory’s standard 12-hour shift schedule from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Five people were burnt beyond recognition,” said Damodar Singh, Deputy Commander of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Authorities noted that while the initial blast caused major destruction, many fatalities occurred when the structure collapsed, burying workers inside.

The explosion sent plumes of thick smoke into the sky, while shattered glass and the sound of sirens triggered panic throughout the industrial zone. Emergency services rushed to the scene after the first distress call was made around 9:37 a.m. Fifteen fire engines, robots, and hazmat vehicles were dispatched from nearby towns including Secunderabad and Rajendranagar.

Rescue operations continued throughout the day, with NDRF teams and fire personnel managing to pull 30 injured survivors from the debris, many of whom suffered critical burns and crush injuries. Some were first taken to the nearby Kakatiya Hospital and later shifted to specialized facilities including Yashoda, Star, Pranam, and Panacea Meridian hospitals.

Police have sealed off a 500-metre radius around the site, as forensic teams begin their investigation. DNA tests have been ordered to identify the deceased due to the extent of burns, according to Sangareddy Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj.

Director of Factories Rajagopal Rao explained that the unit was producing Microcrystalline Cellulose, a commonly used binding agent in tablets and cosmetics. While the substance isn’t considered hazardous, officials suspect a pressure build-up in the air-handling system might have triggered the deadly blast. An official inquiry is underway to determine the precise cause.