Anakapalli, Aug 22: A devastating explosion at the Escientia Advanced Sciences pharmaceutical manufacturing unit here Wednesday has resulted in the confirmed deaths of 17 workers, with 34 others injured, many suffering severe burns. The tragic incident, which occurred at 2:15 PM, has left the region in shock.
At the time of the explosion, 381 workers were on duty across two shifts. The death toll is feared to rise as many workers were trapped on the first floor of the four-storey building when the blast occurred, engulfing them in flames. Rescue operations have been challenging due to the intensity of the fire and the extensive damage to the structure.
Injured workers, many with severe burns and blood-soaked bodies, were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals in ambulances. The explosion, initially believed to have been caused by a gas leak that reached an electrical panel, triggered a massive fire that spread rapidly through the facility.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and vowed strict action against the management if negligence is found to be the cause. “The safety and well-being of workers must never be compromised,” Naidu asserted.
District Police Superintendent M. Deepika confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing, but with many workers still unaccounted for, the final death toll may increase. Early investigations suggest that the explosion may have occurred while solvent oil was being pumped between floors, leading to a leak, fire, and subsequent large-scale explosion. This sequence of events was also confirmed by Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Konidala Pawan Kalyan in a post on X.
The incident has sparked widespread calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in industrial establishments. Shafi Madni, Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and stressed the urgent need for transparency and accountability.
“This devastating incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety norms. The high-level inquiry instituted by the government must be made public, and those guilty of dereliction of duty should be punished. We stand in solidarity with the families of the victims and call on the authorities to provide them with the best possible medical treatment and compensation during this difficult time,” Madni stated.
As rescue teams continue their efforts, the community remains on edge, fearing the worst as the full extent of the disaster unfolds.
