Hyderabad, July 1, 2025 — A tragic explosion at a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Pashamylaram Industrial Park, around two hours from Hyderabad, has claimed 12 lives and left 34 others injured with severe burns. The incident occurred on Monday morning (June 30) at the production facility of Sigachi Industries, a well-known name in the field of pharmaceutical excipients.
Timeline of the Incident
The explosion took place around 9:10 AM in one of the reactors housed in a two-storey building at the Sigachi plant. The resulting fire engulfed the structure rapidly. While five workers died on the spot, seven others succumbed to injuries during treatment at nearby hospitals.
Emergency response teams, including 11 fire tenders and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, were immediately deployed to douse the flames and conduct rescue operations. Despite challenges posed by the scale of destruction, efforts to trace all missing individuals continue, with dozens of workers still feared trapped under the debris.
Witness Accounts and Worker Impact
An eyewitness described the blast as deafening and said the fire rapidly consumed the structure. “It felt like a bomb explosion,” he said, recalling how several workers were thrown from the upper floors due to the impact. The thick smoke and chemical fumes hampered rescue operations and caused panic among workers’ families who rushed to the site in distress.
The plant, reportedly operating in three shifts, employed workers from across India — including Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Rajasthan, along with local labour. Workers were engaged through contractors on a daily-wage basis.
Unfortunately, attendance records were destroyed in the fire, delaying the identification of several victims. Efforts are ongoing to reunite families with their loved ones and provide clarity on missing individuals.
Leadership Response and Assurances
Telangana Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha and Labour Minister G. Vivek Venkatswamy visited the site and hospitals to oversee relief efforts. Speaking to the media, the health minister confirmed the casualty toll and ongoing treatment of 34 injured workers. He assured that the government is committed to full medical support and will hold responsible parties accountable following the investigation.
“We hope there will be no further loss of life. Rescue teams are working tirelessly,” he stated.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who expressed deep sorrow, has directed the administration to ensure top-priority medical care for the injured and conduct a thorough safety audit of all industrial units in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, extended his condolences and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PM National Relief Fund.
Calls for Better Industrial Safety
Local MLA T. Harish Rao pointed out this was the third major incident in the same industrial park within a year, urging the government to enhance emergency response systems and review safety compliance. The Telangana government, while acknowledging the concerns, emphasized that safety protocols will be reviewed and corrective action will be taken where necessary.
Company Statement Awaited
Sigachi Industries, a listed firm engaged in microcrystalline cellulose powder production, is yet to release an official statement. The company’s stock fell by 15% following the incident. A senior executive who had just entered the premises prior to the explosion was among the deceased, highlighting the sudden and tragic nature of the event.
Moving Forward: Support and Accountability
As Telangana mourns this loss, state and national leaders have come together to pledge support for victims’ families, strengthen safety oversight, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Meanwhile, relief and rescue operations continue with full force as the focus remains on saving lives and preventing such tragedies in the future.
