A devastating explosion and subsequent fire at a chemical factory in southern India’s Telangana state have claimed the lives of at least 39 people, with rescue workers continuing to sift through the rubble of the demolished building for more victims. The blast, which occurred on Monday at the Sigachi Industries facility in the Pashamylaram industrial area of Sangareddy district, also left 34 individuals with minor and serious injuries.
The scale of the tragedy prompted the Telangana state government to immediately establish a five-member committee to investigate the matter and determine the cause of the explosion.
GV Narayana Rao, Director of the Telangana Fire Response Service, stated that the building was “completely demolished,” with life-saving work ongoing as teams clear the extensive debris. He indicated that a final assessment of casualties under the rubble would only be possible once the site is fully cleared.
Local police officials reported that more than 140 people were working inside the chemical plant when the powerful explosion struck. Many of the deceased were migrant workers, and a significant number of bodies remain unidentifiable, necessitating DNA analysis. The incident has cast a renewed spotlight on industrial safety standards and enforcement in India.
