8 Dead, 13 Rescued After Reactor Blast at Hyderabad Pharma Unit
NOOR MOHMMED
30/Jun/2025

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Eight workers killed, 13 rescued after reactor blast at Sigachi Industries pharma plant in Hyderabad’s Pashamylaram industrial area.
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Explosion collapsed building structure; fire department rescued injured, many with critical burns, and continued search for trapped workers.
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Accident sparked panic in the area; officials investigating cause of reactor explosion amid calls for improved industrial safety norms.
HYDERABAD, June 30, 2025:
A devastating explosion in a reactor unit at Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd. in Hyderabad's Pashamylaram industrial area killed at least eight workers and injured several others on Monday morning, officials confirmed.
The blast ripped through the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, causing a section of the building to collapse and trapping many workers under the debris. Thirteen people were rescued from the rubble, though many suffered critical burn injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
Fire Department personnel said rescue operations continued late into the day as teams combed through the collapsed structure for additional trapped workers.
Explosion Triggers Panic in Industrial Area
According to preliminary reports, the explosion originated in one of the reactors used in the manufacturing process. The blast’s impact was so severe that it triggered panic in the vicinity, with nearby workers and residents rushing out of factories and warehouses as shockwaves rattled the area.
Eyewitnesses described a loud, thunderous boom followed by flames and thick black smoke billowing from the factory premises.
Local officials sealed off the area and urged nearby units to suspend operations temporarily as a safety measure.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Senior officials from the Telangana Fire Services Department confirmed that eight bodies had been recovered from the debris by Monday afternoon.
“Thirteen injured workers were rescued and transported to nearby hospitals,” a fire official said. “Several of them have serious burn injuries and are being treated in intensive care units.”
Emergency responders deployed fire engines, rescue trucks, earth-moving equipment, and ambulances to the site.
“We are still searching for any trapped personnel in the collapsed portions of the building,” the official added, noting that unstable debris and the risk of secondary fires complicated operations.
Industrial Safety Concerns
Authorities have begun a preliminary investigation into the cause of the explosion. While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, officials suspect a reactor failure or process-related malfunction triggered the blast.
Such incidents raise serious concerns about industrial safety standards in Telangana’s growing pharma-manufacturing hubs, many of which handle flammable chemicals and operate high-pressure reactors.
The Pashamylaram industrial area, located in Sangareddy district near Hyderabad’s outskirts, is home to dozens of chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
Government Response
Local police and revenue officials visited the site and began documenting evidence as part of the official inquiry. Telangana state authorities promised compensation for the families of the deceased and medical support for the injured.
Speaking to reporters at the site, a district official said:
"Our immediate priority is to ensure all trapped workers are rescued and the injured receive the best possible medical care. We will also investigate lapses in safety protocols that led to this tragedy."
Calls for Improved Safety Norms
Industrial safety activists and labour unions renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety rules in Telangana’s industrial corridors.
Incidents involving fires, explosions, and toxic leaks have been reported periodically in Hyderabad’s pharma and chemical sectors, highlighting challenges in monitoring compliance with fire safety, worker training, equipment maintenance, and emergency planning.
Experts note that process safety management (PSM) protocols, routine audits, and employee training programs are essential in reducing such deadly accidents.
Company Profile: Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd.
Sigachi Industries is a Hyderabad-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical excipients and chemicals, with production facilities across Telangana and other states.
The Pashamylaram unit, where the explosion occurred, reportedly housed reactor-based production lines for specialty chemicals and pharma intermediates.
The company has yet to issue a formal public statement about the accident.
Investigation and Next Steps
Police registered a case and initiated an investigation into negligence, safety violations, and potential liability.
A forensic team is expected to examine the blast site to determine whether equipment failure, design flaws, human error, or violation of standard operating procedures caused the explosion.
Officials from the Telangana Factories Department and the Pollution Control Board also visited the scene to assess environmental impact and worker safety practices.
Broader Industrial Context
Telangana is a major pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in India, exporting medicines, chemicals, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) worldwide.
While the sector fuels the state’s economy and provides thousands of jobs, rapid industrial growth has raised concerns about workplace safety standards, especially in older facilities.
Recent years have seen multiple fatal incidents in the state’s industrial zones, prompting calls for regular inspections, worker training, emergency drills, and updated equipment.
Conclusion
The tragic blast at Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd. underscores the urgent need for robust safety systems, training, and oversight in high-risk manufacturing sectors.
As rescue operations continue and investigations unfold, the state government faces pressure to ensure justice for the victims, support for their families, and meaningful reforms to prevent future tragedies.
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