On Wednesday (August 21), an explosion occurred at a pharmaceutical factory in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, India, resulting in at least 15 deaths and around 40 injuries. The condition of the injured is currently unknown.
According to reports from Indian media, the explosion took place at the Escientia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd pharmaceutical factory located within the 40-acre Achutapuram Special Economic Zone in Andhra Pradesh.
Escientia Advanced Sciences produces intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and began operations in April 2019.
Local police superintendent M. Deepika told Reuters, “As of now, the death toll has reached 15, with the possibility of it rising, and nearly 40 people are injured. Rescue operations are underway.”
The district official Vijaya Krishnan informed Reuters from the Anakapalli region of Andhra Pradesh that the injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals.
Initial reports suggested that the explosion occurred in a reaction furnace at the pharmaceutical factory, but Krishnan clarified that the fire was not caused by a reaction furnace explosion. Officials now suspect that the cause of the fire is related to electricity.
Authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the explosion.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences for the victims of the accident.
The Times of India quoted police sources saying that the blast happened at the site of the furnace, not at the furnace itself.
Quoting Krishnan, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that the factory had 381 employees working in two shifts. The explosion occurred during lunchtime, with fewer employees present at the workplace.
Krishnan mentioned that 13 trapped personnel have been rescued.
Video footage from the scene shows an ambulance rushing into the company premises. People can be seen surrounded by gray smoke, with some covering their noses.