By ANAKAPALLI, India — An explosion at a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh state killed at least 15 people and injured 40 others on Wednesday, local officials reported.
District Superintendent of Police M. Deepika told Reuters, “Death toll as of now is 15 and is likely to go up. Nearly 40 people have been injured. Rescue operations are under way.”
The incident occurred at a 40-acre facility owned by Escientia Advanced Sciences in the Anakapalli district. The plant has been operational since 2019.
District collector Vijaya Krishnan’s office provided additional details, stating, “The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals… it appears that there could have been a blast at the chemical reactor.” The explosion reportedly took place during lunch time at the unit.
Escientia Advanced Sciences has not immediately responded to requests for comment. The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
This accident follows a similar incident in the Anakapalli district last year, where two people were killed and five others injured in a fire that broke out in a solvent reactor at a Sahithi Pharma unit.
The pharmaceutical industry is a significant sector in India, with the country being a major global supplier of generic drugs. However, industrial accidents in the country have raised concerns about safety standards and regulatory oversight.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are working to determine the cause of the explosion and assess the full extent of the damage. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring industrial safety in India’s rapidly growing manufacturing sector.
Local hospitals are reportedly preparing for the possibility of receiving more injured workers as the rescue efforts progress. The explosion’s impact on the local community and the broader pharmaceutical supply chain remains to be seen.
State and national authorities are expected to closely monitor the situation and may consider additional safety measures for similar facilities in the wake of this tragedy.
