At least 36 people lost their lives in a devastating explosion at Sigachi Industries’ pharmaceutical facility in Pashamylaram, Telangana. Rescue operations were still ongoing. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, after visiting the site on June 30, announced that the state would work with Sigachi Industries Ltd to ensure that ₹1 crore in compensation is provided to each family of the deceased.

He further stated that individuals with serious injuries would receive ₹10 lakh, while those with non-critical injuries who can return to work post-recovery will be compensated with ₹5 lakh. Additionally, the state will offer ₹1 lakh to the families of those killed and ₹50,000 to the injured for immediate needs.

Officials reported that most victims hailed from Odisha, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana. Health Minister Damodara Raja Narasimha said nearly 90 workers were present at the plant when the blast occurred, likely due to a chemical reaction that ignited a fire. The explosion was so forceful that some victims were thrown nearly 100 metres, according to eyewitness accounts. The precise cause is under investigation by technical experts.

Sigachi Industries, according to its website, operates in the pharmaceutical sector, focusing on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients, intermediates, and O&M services.

The state has established a five-member committee led by Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao to investigate the incident. The committee, which also includes senior officials from disaster management, labor, health, and fire services, will also recommend preventive safety measures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. In a post on X, he announced ₹2 lakh in ex gratia from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to each of the deceased’s families and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Sigachi Industries stated in a regulatory filing that operations at the Hyderabad plant will be halted for approximately 90 days to allow for repairs. The explosion caused extensive damage to equipment and civil structures within the premises.