An explosion at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh, India resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people, with an additional 40 injured, as confirmed by local authorities.
The explosion occurred on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Escientia Advanced Sciences plant in the Anakapalli district. The incident has raised questions about the safety measures in place in the region’s industrial sectors.
The blast happened around lunchtime and was of such magnitude that it caused substantial damage to the plant. Fortunately, most of the 380 workers were on their lunch break, potentially averting an even higher death toll. Those near the explosion site experienced severe chemical burns, as described by the first responders on the site.
“It was horrible, heartbreaking. They were screaming before they lost consciousness,” said M Buchaiah, an officer from the Atchutapuram police station, while speaking to The Indian Express. The injured workers, some with their “skin peeling off,” were quickly transported to nearby hospitals, but three later died from their severe injuries.
The company, Escientia Advanced Sciences, which started operations in 2019, produces intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients, crucial components in the production of various medications. The plant is housed within a special economic zone in Atchutapuram village, spanning 40 acres, and operates with continuous shifts.
Early investigations suggest that a chemical solvent leak may have caused the explosion. According to N Yuvaraj, the state’s Industries Secretary, “There was some vapor leak that led to chemical reactions, which caused the explosion.”
In response to the incident, six fire engines were dispatched to the scene to combat the fire, and the National Disaster Response Force was summoned to aid in the rescue operations. The fire was eventually extinguished, but the damage had already been done. The site is now the subject of a government inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the incident and if human error was a factor.
“The workers who died or were injured do the most crucial and dangerous jobs,” stated L Srinivas Rao, a local politician, as reported by The Indian Express. His statement reflects a wider concern about the safety of industrial workers in India, where regulatory oversight is frequently criticized as insufficient.
The explosion has brought renewed attention to safety standards in India’s industrial sector. Incidents of fires and explosions at factories are common, often attributed to lax enforcement of safety regulations. The Anakapalli district, where the recent incident occurred, has experienced similar tragedies in the past. Last year, a similar accident at another pharmaceutical factory in the same district resulted in the deaths of two workers and injured five others.
The explosion at the Escientia plant is one of the most serious industrial accidents in recent history in Andhra Pradesh. The company is under intense scrutiny as the state government has mandated a comprehensive investigation. Officials are currently reviewing security camera footage and interviewing the injured workers to understand the sequence of events that led to the catastrophe.
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives and called for strict action against those responsible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences to the families of the victims via a social media post.
As the investigation continues, the bereaved families are left to deal with the tragic aftermath. The state government has announced ex-gratia payments of ₹1 crore (approximately $120,000) for the families of the deceased, ₹50 lakhs (approximately $60,000) for the severely injured, and ₹25 lakhs (approximately $30,000) for those with moderate injuries. Though substantial, this financial aid does little to alleviate the emotional trauma experienced by the affected families.