The death toll from the catastrophic explosion at Sigachi Industries’ pharmaceutical plant in Pashamylaram, Sangareddy, has risen to 45, marking it as one of Telangana’s deadliest industrial accidents in recent memory. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy visited the blast site on Tuesday, July 1, alongside ministers Sridhar Babu, Damodara Raja Narasimha, G Vivek, and P Srinivasa Reddy, to assess the situation and meet rescue teams. The CM declared immediate aid of ₹1 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, while clarifying that the state would ensure a separate ₹1 crore compensation is paid by Sigachi Pharma. “We will ensure that the families of those who died in the explosion receive a compensation of ₹1 crore from the Sigachi Pharma company,” he said, assuring full government support in both relief and investigation efforts.
The accident, suspected to have been caused by excessive temperature buildup in a spray dryer due to inadequate cleaning, left at least 35 others injured, 10 of whom remain in critical condition. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with several bodies recovered from the debris. According to Sangareddy SP Paritosh Pankaj, 31 bodies were found at the site and three victims died during treatment. Sigachi Industries, a major pharmaceutical firm producing APIs and excipients, had nearly 145 workers on-site when the blast occurred. Authorities have initiated a probe into safety lapses, with experts pointing to potential neglect in maintenance protocols, particularly in systems handling extreme heat. The government has now ordered a thorough safety audit of all chemical and pharmaceutical units across Telangana to prevent future tragedies.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and IT Minister Sridhar Babu also strongly criticized Sigachi’s top management for their absence at the site and lack of immediate accountability. Revanth demanded the presence of the company’s executive chairman, stating, “He has to visit the deceased person’s family. You cannot avoid the situation.” Sridhar Babu echoed the sentiment, questioning the company’s commitment and calling the delayed response inexcusable. “If he is so preoccupied, why run a factory at all?” he asked. The CM has appointed a special officer to oversee ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts and has called for a full report on past safety violations. Meanwhile, Sigachi Industries has stated it will cover all medical expenses of the victims, but public and governmental pressure continues to mount as investigations unfold.
