The death toll from the tragic explosion and fire at Sigachi Industries’ chemical manufacturing plant in southern India has climbed to 39, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred at the Telangana-based facility, has also left 34 people injured.
In response, the pharmaceutical company has suspended all operations at the site for 90 days. The Telangana state government has formed a five-member investigative panel to determine the cause of the blast, which remains unknown at this time.
GV Narayana Rao, head of the state’s fire and emergency services, said rescue efforts are ongoing. “We are still clearing the debris. Only once that is complete can we confirm if more victims are still trapped,” he explained.
More than 140 workers were reportedly inside the plant when the explosion occurred. Local official P. Pravinya noted that 25 victims remain unidentified.
Eyewitness Chandan Gound, a 32-year-old employee who narrowly escaped, recounted the horrifying moment: “I stepped out to use the restroom and heard a loud blast. It was like a bomb. Flames spread toward me, and I jumped a wall to escape. Many got out, but several were trapped inside.”
Sigachi Industries is known for producing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a versatile ingredient used in pharmaceuticals, food products, cosmetics, and specialty chemicals. The Telangana facility alone contributed over 25% to the company’s annual production capacity of 21,700 million metric tons.
The explosion has had immediate business repercussions. On Tuesday, the company’s stock price plummeted by nearly 8%, marking one of its sharpest two-day declines. Sigachi has begun insurance claims to cover the extensive damage to infrastructure and machinery.
In a separate and unrelated incident on the same day, a fire at a fireworks factory in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, claimed five more lives and injured four others. Sivakasi is notorious for such industrial accidents, according to fire officials.
The investigation into the Sigachi explosion continues as the nation mourns yet another devastating industrial disaster.
