Tragedy at Sigachi Industries: Explosion Claims Multiple Lives

An explosion at Sigachi Industries' pharmaceutical plant in Pashamylaram has resulted in at least 38 fatalities, while 35 individuals suffered injuries. The disaster has left nine people missing, and search efforts by local authorities are ongoing, according to the district's Superintendent of Police, Paritosh Pankaj, on Thursday.

The state government has tasked an expert committee with investigating the explosion's causes and sequence of events. This committee, led by Dr. B Venkateswar Rao, Emeritus Scientist from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, is expected to present a detailed report with recommendations within a month.

Meanwhile, Amit Raj Sinha, Managing Director & CEO of Sigachi, has denied allegations regarding the use of outdated machinery. Sinha speculated that a dust explosion in the dryer's section, rather than a reactor explosion, triggered the catastrophe. Sigachi has pledged a compensation of Rs 1 crore each to the relatives of those deceased.

(With inputs from agencies.)