Catastrophe in Telangana: Sigachi Factory Explosion Claims 42 Lives, Dozens Missing as Families Cling to Hope
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| Photo credit _News Live |
SANGAREDDY, TELANGANA – July 1, 2025 – A catastrophic explosion at Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd., a pharmaceutical plant in Pashamylaram Industrial Area, Sangareddy district, has left a trail of devastation, with the death toll climbing to 42 as of Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025. The tragedy, one of the worst industrial disasters in Telangana’s history, has left families in anguish, with 27 workers still unaccounted for and 35 others battling severe injuries in hospitals.
The explosion, which rocked the Rs 500-crore facility on Monday, June 30, 2025, at approximately 9:30 AM, obliterated a multi-storey production unit housing a chemical reactor. The blast, suspected to be triggered by a dryer malfunction or choking in an air handling unit, reduced the building to rubble, trapping dozens of workers under debris. At the time, around 90 workers, many of them migrants from Bihar and West Bengal, were on duty in the production unit.
Rescue operations, involving nearly 200 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Telangana Fire Disaster Response teams, have been underway for over 24 hours. However, the sheer scale of destruction has complicated efforts, with officials uncertain about the number of workers still trapped. Only once the rubble is cleared will we have a clear picture, said GV Narayana Rao, director of Telangana’s fire disaster response team.
The Forensic Science Laboratory is assisting with DNA analysis to identify charred remains, as many bodies are unrecognizable. At Patancheru hospital, 35 injured workers are receiving treatment, with 12 in critical condition on ventilator support. The emotional toll is palpable, with families gathered at the factory gate, some waiting in the rain, desperate for news of their loved ones. The lack of a help desk or official updates initially exacerbated their distress, though a workers’ list was released after intervention by local leaders.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has taken swift action, ordering a high-level probe into the incident. A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the explosion and recommend preventive measures. The Chief Minister is set to visit hospitals and meet victims’ families today, while the state’s health minister, chief secretary, and Director General of Police are overseeing rescue and relief efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy, announcing an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The fire tragedy at a factory in Sangareddy, Telangana, is anguishing. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest, he posted on X.
Sigachi Industries, a leading manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), active pharmaceutical ingredients, and nutraceuticals, informed stock exchanges of an accident in the vicinity of its plant. The company issued a statement mourning the loss of lives and extending condolences to affected families, pledging full support. However, a case has been registered against the management following a complaint by Sai Yashwanth, son of victim Jagan Mohan, raising questions about safety protocols at the facility.
The explosion has sparked outrage among victims’ families, who allege inadequate safety measures contributed to the disaster. Protests erupted in the industrial cluster, with relatives demanding accountability. My brother went to work like any other day, and now his phone is silent, said a grieving sibling, echoing the despair of many.
As rescue teams toil amidst the wreckage, the nation watches in horror, hoping for survivors while mourning the staggering loss. The Sigachi tragedy underscores the urgent need for stringent safety standards in industrial units, leaving a scar on Telangana that will not soon fade.
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