HYDERABAD: At least 15 people were killed in an explosion at a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, a district government official said.
“The death toll so far is 15 and is likely to rise. Nearly 40 people have been injured. Rescue operations are underway,” said district superintendent of police M Deepika. Reuters.
The fire broke out in the afternoon at the 40-acre manufacturing unit of private firm Escientia Advanced Sciences, which was operational since 2019 in Anakapalli district of the state, according to district collector Vijaya Krishnan.
“The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals… it appears there may have been an explosion at the chemical reactor,” Krishnan's office said. Reutersadding that the explosion occurred during lunch time at the unit.
Escientia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The state government has ordered an investigation into the incident.
Last year, two people were killed and five others injured in a similar fire that broke out in a solvent reactor at a Sahithi Pharma unit in Anakapalli district.
