Hyderabad | The toll in the explosion at the Sigachi Industries' pharma plant in Sangareddy District of Telangana rose to 36 and the state government will engage with the management of the firm to ensure that a compensation of Rs 1 crore is paid to the kin of those who died in the horrific accident, Chief Minister A Reavnth reddy said on Tuesday.
A senior police official said 34 people who were injured in the blast are undergoing treatment in various hospitals.
The toll has risen from 15 last night after more bodies were found during the removal of debris, officials said. The fatal accident on Monday is suspected to have been caused by a chemical reaction.
The Chief Minister, who visited the site, also said those who are seriously injured will receive Rs 10 lakh, while those who are injured but can resume work after some recovery will be provided Rs 5 lakh.
"Thirty-six people have lost their lives. Some are still missing. Officials are in the process of collecting information," the CM said, adding that stringent action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.
"The state government will talk to the company management to ensure that each Rs 1 crore compensation is paid to the deceased families. I have issued orders that from both the government side and company side Rs 1 Crore compensation will be paid,” Reddy said.
He said the state government will pay Rs 1 lakh each to the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured to meet any immediate and emergency expenses. He also visited a hospital where some injured people are undergoing treatment.
There were 143 people at the time of the blast out of which 56 are in touch with the officials. Search is on for the rest of the people. Most of the deceased were from Odisha, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, he said.
Sangareddy police have registered an FIR against the factory management in connection with the explosion under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempting to commit culpable homicide), and 117 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of BNS. The investigation is ongoing.
A senior official of the Department of Factories, Telangana, said they will be booking a case against the license holder and manager of the unit under the Factories Act 1948.
Revanth Reddy accompanied by Ministers Sridhar Babu, Damodara Raja Narasimha, G Vivek, and P Srinivasa Reddy visited the factory blast site and reviewed the situation with senior officials.
The blast site at Pashamylaram was filled with people, anxiety written on their faces, waiting for information about their loved ones as rescue teams were clearing the debris with heavy equipment. The area was littered with debris, including concrete blocks and iron rods. The police have barricaded the factory site, preventing people from venturing into it.
It has been an agonizing wait for Pooja Kumari, a seven-month pregnant woman from Bihar, who is desperately seeking information on four missing family members—her husband, two uncles, and her brother—following the devastating blast.
The CM sought a comprehensive report on the incident, including details of past similar occurrences and preventive measures taken. He found fault with the senior management of the firm for their absence during the crisis.
“Major accident has taken place. He (senior management) has to come. He has to visit the deceased persons' families. You can not avoid the situation. He has to come. Ask him to come,” Reddy fumed.
Replying to the Chief Minister’s query, a company official said the Founder and Executive Chairman of Sigachi was here on Monday.
The state government will also bring a transparent policy to prevent such incidents in the future, the Chief Minister said, adding that he already ordered officials to conduct periodic inspections in companies to avert fire accidents.
Earlier in the day, District Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj told PTI that rescue operations were still going on.
When contacted, a senior official of Pranaam Hospitals in Miyapur said they received 21 patients on Monday with burns and head injuries. However, two were declared brought dead, and one succumbed this morning.
A senior official of Dhruva Hospitals in Patancheru told PTI that they received 11 patients on Monday, out of which two were referred to superspeciality hospitals.
“Out of the Nine patients, five are on ventilators. We have seven patients with 40 to 80 per cent burns and two with 10 per cent burns,” the official said.
According to a revenue department official, the identities of only 14 bodies have been established so far, while the remaining need to undergo DNA profiling.
Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, along with Telangana BJP’s new president N Ramachander Rao, visited the blast site and a hospital where some of the injured are being treated.
Sigachi Industries Limited is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering advancements in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Intermediates, Excipients, vitamin-mineral blends, and Operations and Management (O&M) services, according to the company's website.
