At least 2 killed, several injured in reactor blast at Telangana pharma unit

At least two workers lost their lives and nine others sustained injuries in a devastating reactor explosion at a pharmaceutical industrial unit situated in Telangana’s Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district on Friday night. The incident took place at a facility located on the outskirts of Anthammagudam village in the Pochampally mandal. Upon the explosion, massive flames and dense smoke billowed out, alerting Pochampally police officials to the dire situation.

"The fire erupted at 10.10 pm on Friday," a Pochampally police officer recounted. "The fire brigade responded promptly and managed to extinguish the blaze by 10.30 pm."

Of the nine injured workers, two are currently in critical condition. This marks the second incident at the pharmaceutical unit, which is known for producing medical substances. The first fatal accident occurred there in July, resulting in the loss of a worker's life. The police have launched an investigation into both incidents to ascertain the cause and prevent future occurrences.

In the aftermath of the explosion, panic gripped the factory as the workers scrambled to evacuate the building. There were around 12 employees present at the site during the incident, according to the Pochampally police. The injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The state disaster response team is also monitoring the situation closely to provide necessary assistance and ensure the safety of the affected individuals.