The explosion occurred on Wednesday around 2:15 PM. The blast took place at the Escientia Advanced Sciences facility, a pharmaceutical plant located within the Achutapuram Special Economic Zone in Anakapalli, a district near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. This area is known for its heavy industrial activity housing over 200 companies.
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The explosion has killed at least 18 lives with the death toll reported at 15 but rising as three more succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
Approximately 40 people were injured in the blast with many suffering from chemical burns. The injuries has raised concerns about the plant’s safety protocols, as numerous victims were reported to have their skin peeling off due to the intense heat and chemical exposure.
Many of the injured were left in critical condition with some experiencing burns that led to the peeling of their skin.
According to reports, the explosion was likely triggered by a vapor leak that led to a chemical reaction eventually causing the blast.
The plant’s electrical system is also under scrutiny, as some reports suggest that an electrical fault could have sparked the fire.
The Andhra Pradesh state government has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Authorities are reviewing security camera footage and questioning survivors to determine if human error or negligence played a role in the disaster.
Six fire engines were deployed to the scene to control the fire and prevent it from spreading further. The National Disaster Response Force was also called in to assist with the rescue operations.
Emergency responders managed to rescue 13 people who were trapped inside the facility. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals including the NTR Hospital for treatment.
Investigations are ongoing but there is speculation that human error may have played a role in the accident. CCTV footage is being reviewed and injured workers are being questioned to determine the sequence of events.
The death toll as confirmed by Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan, stands at 18. Many of the victims suffered burns and injuries leading to their deaths.
The explosion caused panic with injured workers screaming in pain as they were rushed to hospitals. The condition of those injured is severe with many suffering from burns and other life-threatening injuries.
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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to visit the accident site and meet the injured workers receiving treatment at a private hospital in Visakhapatnam.
His visit is seen as a gesture of support for the victims and their families and he is expected to assess the situation firsthand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims and their families via a post on X. He also announced that financial compensation would be provided to the families of the deceased and the injured.
India is known as the pharmacy of the world with a vast network of pharmaceutical manufacturing units.
The pharmaceutical sector in India is valued at an estimated $42 billion in 2021 and it is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030.
The Andhra Pradesh state government has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Andhra Pradesh District police superintendent M. Deepika mentioned that the blast was likely caused by a gas leak that triggered a chemical reaction leading to the explosion.
The Escientia plant, where the explosion occurred is a relatively new facility and has started operations in April 2019. The company specializes in manufacturing intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The plant is situated on a 40-acre campus within the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) zone, a designated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) aimed at promoting industrial growth.
The region surrounding Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh has a history of industrial accidents including hazardous chemical leaks and explosions.
Just last year another pharmaceutical plant in the district experienced a similar incident resulting in the deaths of two workers and injuries to five others.
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