ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A devastating explosion and fire at Sigachi Industries’ chemical plant in the southern Indian state of Telangana has killed at least 39 people and injured 34 others, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The tragedy prompted the company to suspend operations for 90 days as rescue teams continue to search the rubble for any remaining victims.
Deadly Blast Triggers Factory Shutdown
The blast occurred on Monday, completely collapsing the building, according to GV Narayana Rao, Director of Telangana’s Fire Disaster Response Service.
“We are still clearing the debris. Once we are all done with the clearing, only then we will be able to assess if any other body is still remaining under the debris or if it is all clear,” Rao told Reuters.
Authorities reported that over 140 workers were present at the plant when the explosion occurred. P. Pravinya, a district administrative official, noted that 25 victims remain unidentified as of the latest update.
One survivor, Chandan Gound, 32, recounted his narrow escape:
“I came out (of the plant) to use the restroom and heard a loud blast. It sounded like a bomb blast. I came out and saw fire… I jumped the wall and escaped.”
He added that while some employees managed to flee, many were trapped inside the building.
Government Probe and Corporate Impact
The Telangana state government has established a five-member investigation committee to determine the cause of the incident. Sigachi Industries has yet to disclose the cause of the explosion, and the company has suspended operations at the facility for the next 90 days due to structural damage.
The affected plant accounts for more than a quarter of the company’s annual production capacity of 21,700 million metric tons. The facility, which manufactures microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)—a critical ingredient in pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetic products—serves clients across regions including the U.S., Australia, and Asia.
Shares of Sigachi Industries fell by 8% on Tuesday, marking the company’s steepest two-day decline on record. The plant is fully insured, and Sigachi has begun the process of filing insurance claims.
Rising Concern Over Industrial Safety
This incident adds to a growing list of industrial accidents in India. In a separate occurrence on Tuesday, five individuals died and four others were injured in a fire at a fireworks factory in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, highlighting persistent safety concerns in manufacturing zones.
As search and rescue efforts continue in Telangana, officials have not ruled out the possibility of discovering additional victims under the collapsed structure. The investigation committee’s findings are expected to inform future safety measures at industrial sites across the region.
