Telangana Chemical Factory Blast Kills 42 — Massive Reactor Explosion Rocks Plant
A suspected reactor explosion on Monday triggered a blast and fire at the Sigachi Chemical Industry in Pashamylaram
The death toll due to the explosion at a Telangana chemical factory increased to 42 on Tuesday as more bodies were recovered during the rescue operations, Hindustan Times has learnt.
The toll, which was 12 till Monday night, rose to 34 on Tuesday morning and has now gone up further.
“Several bodies have been found under the debris while removing it… The last leg of the rescue operation is still going on,” district Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj told PTI news agency.
Furthermore, chief minister Revanth Reddy is expected to visit the accident site on Tuesday morning.
A suspected reactor explosion on Monday triggered a blast and fire at the Sigachi Chemical Industry in Pashamylaram.
Speaking to reporters, state health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha said around 90 employees were in the factory at the time of the incident.
“The explosion blew up the industrial shed completely and the force of the blast was so intense that some of the workers were thrown up in the air and they fell down about 100 metres away,” he added, quoting the workers.
Following the explosion, rescue and firefighting operations were carried out at the plant, during which at least 10 bodies were recovered.
While the cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained, it is suspected to have been caused by a chemical reaction.
On Tuesday, local media reported that the rescue operations are underway by NDRF, HYDRAA and Telangana Fire Disaster Response teams.
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma also expressed grief over the tragic accident. Paying condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, the state governor wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The Governor also spoke to the Labour, Employment Training and Factories (LETF) Principal Secretary M.Dan Kishore, and directed him to extend all possible assistance and help to all the victims of the blast.
🚨 Latest death toll: 42 confirmed.
🔥 Incident: Reactor explosion in the spray dryer unit at Sigachi Industries.
🚑 Casualties: Numerous workers killed or badly injured; many still missing.
👨👩👧👦 Family impact: DNA testing underway to identify charred bodies.
🛠 Response & relief: Government compensation, forensic probe, and urgent safety concerns.
On June 30, 2025, a catastrophic explosion rocked the Sigachi Industries plant in Pashamylaram, near Hyderabad, Telangana. The blast occurred inside the spray dryer unit—a reactor used to convert drug substances into fine powder as part of pharmaceutical manufacturing
Rescue teams were dispatched immediately. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a massive roar and feeling the blast vibrations kilometers away . Within minutes, flames engulfed the structure, and the roof collapsed, trapping workers under debris
Subsequent counting pushed that to 12 dead, with around 34 injured .
Later reports revised the fatalities to 34, citing bodies recovered from rubble and hospital casualties
The death toll climbed again to 35, with many still unaccounted for
Most recently, government officials confirmed 36 confirmed deaths, noting that hundreds of workers were present during the disaster
Tragically, the latest official toll stands at 42, as critically burned victims succumbed over the following days—a testimony to the severity of injuries
Approximately 108 employees were reportedly inside the plant at the time of the blast State Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha clarified nearly 90 workers were present in the affected section during the explosion
These numbers serve as a sobering reminder of how widespread the human impact has been.
Firefighters, the National & State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF/SDRF), local police, and even specialist units like firefighting robots mobilized rapidly Eleven fire engines rushed in from multiple jurisdictions .
The factory’s structural collapse meant that the search for survivors and bodies was painstakingly slow. Many victims were severely burned, complicating visual identification. Authorities have resorted to DNA profiling with the help of a dedicated medical team to match remains with family samples
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy conveyed shock, ordered rescue crews to act swiftly, and urged optimal medical care for the injured
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow and announced financial aid of ₹200,000 for each deceased worker’s next of kin, as well as ₹50,000 for injured staff
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended support for workers from Bihar, offering ₹200,000 to families of victims and ₹50,000 to injured individuals .
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and other leaders expressed sympathies and emphasized the need for thorough safety and emergency planning .
An investigative panel led by the Telangana government is probing the matter
Although the precise trigger remains under review, early suspicions point to a possible chemical reaction or process anomaly inside the reactor
Similar incidents in the region have previously linked reactor failures to maintenance issues, operational errors, or safety shortcuts
Telangana has experienced several reactor‐related accidents in recent years, which have raised concerns about industrial safety practices. Examples include:
A deadly glass factory blast in Shadnagar, Telangana in 2024 due to autoclave valve failure
Six deaths at SB Organics in April 2024 due to hot-oil leakage in a reactor unit, triggering unsafe chemical exposure
A spate of 600+ fires/explosions in regional factories between 2021–2023, according to state fire department data
Experts note that there are over 4,000 high-risk chemical and pharmaceutical facilities in the Telangana industrial belt Regular maintenance audits, staff training, and compliance with safety protocols are repeatedly flagged as vital yet often neglected .
The financial impact was immediate. Following the accident, Sigachi Industries’ stock dropped 15%, underscoring investors’ concern over safety failures and potential liabilities
Further consequences could include production halts, regulatory scrutiny, and tighter licensing conditions for similar plants across Telangana and India.
Government of India: ₹200,000 per deceased, ₹50,000 per injured
Bihar Government: ₹200,000 to families, ₹50,000 to injured Bihar-origin workers .
Sigachi Industries reportedly issued public condolence statements—specific compensation details remain pending
Families of missing workers are seeking prompt identification and closure. The severity of burn injuries has made DNA-based recognition a grim necessity
Analysts argue that this latest disaster serves as a wake-up call. With Telangana hosting mining centers, chemical parks, and pharma clusters, strict adherence to safety norms is non-negotiable.
Echoing voices from past incidents, officials advise:
- Annual maintenance and safety audits for reactors and pressure equipment .
- Continuous real-time monitoring of chemical processes and pressure readings.
- Rigorous worker training in handling chemicals and emergency response.
- Emergency drills and firefighting infrastructure as a standard in industrial zones.
- Independent oversight, with unannounced inspections and stricter penalties for violations.
