Pashamylaram, July 2: The death toll from a devastating explosion at a pharmaceutical facility in Telangana’s Sangareddy district has climbed to 36, local authorities said on Tuesday, as ongoing rain hampered search and rescue operations.
The blast occurred on Monday at Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd., located in the Pashamylaram industrial area, about 40 kilometers from Hyderabad. Emergency responders have been combing through debris to locate 12 individuals still missing, while hospitals continue to receive charred human remains.
“Overnight rain significantly slowed down our operations. We are searching both the blast site and nearby areas,” said Swamy Goud, an official from Sangareddy police.
Hospital authorities said the scale of the disaster had overwhelmed their facilities. The Area Hospital in Patancheru received dozens of remains throughout the night, with only four of the deceased identified so far. DNA testing is underway on around 40 bodies that were burned beyond recognition.
“This is one of the worst mass casualty incidents Telangana has witnessed in recent times,” said a doctor overseeing post-mortem and identification procedures. “DNA samples are being sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to match with family members.”
The victims identified so far include Jagan Mohan, Ram Singh, Shashi Bhushan Kumar, and Lagnajith. At the time of the explosion, 143 individuals were present at the facility, according to officials.
As of Tuesday morning, 57 people have been located and declared safe, while 34 workers are undergoing treatment in hospitals across the region. Among the injured are several staff and contract workers, including Rizawana, Sushma, B Hena Sunadar, G Yashwanth, P Ablilash, and Chandan Kumar Naik.
Families of missing and deceased workers gathered at hospitals and the factory site, demanding answers and accountability. The state government has announced compensation and ordered a full inquiry into the cause of the explosion.
Emergency personnel, forensic teams, and disaster response units continue to work around the clock despite difficult weather conditions. An investigation into the cause of the blast is ongoing. Authorities have not ruled out criminal negligence.
