Hyderabad: The death toll from the fire and explosion at Sigachi Industries Ltd’s manufacturing unit in Pashamylaram near Hyderabad has increased to 39, after one more injured worker passed away in hospital.
Bheem Rao, an injured worker being treated at Dhruva Hospital in Patancheru, died on Friday. He was originally from Maharashtra. Earlier, Sigachi Industries had revised the total number of dead from 40 to 38.
Out of 33 injured workers, 12 have been discharged, each provided with an interim relief amount of Rs 1 lakh. The company has assured full medical and rehabilitation support for all the injured employees.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, led by the Chief Secretary to the Telangana government. Preliminary findings are expected within seven days.
Sangareddy District Collector P. Pravinya reported that 31 bodies have been identified so far, with nine workers still missing. Of the 143 people present at the factory during the blast, 61 managed to evacuate safely.
Rescue teams recovered 20 skeletal remains during a recent search of the debris, which have been sent for DNA testing at a forensic lab. Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj shared that about 95% of DNA collection has been completed, with the remainder pending as families arrive in Sangareddy.
A high-level committee, led by the Chief Secretary, is scheduled to visit the site and investigate the disaster and its causes. The committee includes officials from disaster management, labour, health, and fire services.
A four-member expert team, headed by B. Venkateshwar Rao, will also examine the incident to identify the causes and determine what led to the explosion. Its members include scientists and safety officers from CSIR institutions.
About the Explosion
The explosion occurred on June 30 at the plant in Pashamylaram, Patancheru Mandal, Sangareddy district. The plant produces Microcrystalline Cellulose powder, a key ingredient used as a binder in tablets and capsules.