At least 4 dead, 33 injured in reactor blast at pharma company in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli

Tragic fire accident at Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Limited leaves four dead, 33 injured, sparking outrage and investigation.

At least four workers were killed and 33 others suffered burn injuries in a major fire accident that occurred reportedly due to a reactor blast in Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Limited, located in the Special Economic Zone at Atchutapuram, in Anakapalli, on Wednesday (August 21, 2024).

The death toll is likely to go up, as bodies of several workers were feared trapped under the rubble of the slab of the first floor of the G+4 building. The impact of the blast was so strong that the severed body parts of some workers were thrown to some distance on the company premises.

The workers union members allege that the death toll had increased to 14 by the night. However, it is yet to be ascertained and confirmed by the authorities.

Three of the deceased were identified as Y. Chinna Rao (32), Challapalli Harika (22), Mohan Durga Prasad (20), the fourth is yet to be identified.

A panic atmosphere was created as thick flames and smoke engulfed the SEZ as well as surrounding villages. A number of ambulances from different pharma units, private and government ambulances shifted the injured persons to various private hospitals as well as to the NTR Hospital in Anakapalli.

Around 10 fire tenders from Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam, apart from a few from the pharma units rushed to the spot followed by the district police personnel led by Superintendent of Police M Deepika to engage in rescue operations. District Collector Vijaya Krishnan along with revenue and other department officials reached the spot to monitor the operations.

Two teams of NDRF were also pressed into action as part of rescue operations. The personnel safely shifted a number of workers who were struck in the third floor of the building.