An explosion involving a boiler at a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh’s Sri City Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has resulted in the deaths of at least five workers and left more than ten others injured. The incident occurred on Saturday morning at the TIL Healthcare facility in Satyavedu mandal, Tirupati district.
According to preliminary reports, the explosion happened around 8 a.m. while workers were on duty. Two individuals died at the scene, and three others succumbed to their injuries while receiving medical treatment. The injured workers were promptly evacuated and transported to nearby hospitals for care.
The exact cause of the boiler explosion has not yet been determined. Officials are reportedly investigating potential factors such as technical malfunctions, failures in safety systems, or operational lapses. The blast triggered a significant fire within the industrial unit, causing alarm in the surrounding area.
Authorities, including police and emergency personnel, were dispatched to the site to conduct rescue and relief operations. Efforts were made to secure the premises and assist any workers who may have been trapped or affected by the fire.
The incident has drawn reactions from state officials. Andhra Pradesh minister for education and information technology, Nara Lokesh, expressed shock and grief over the loss of life. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and urged officials to provide support to those affected.
The Sri City SEZ is a significant industrial hub located in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, housing numerous manufacturing and service industries. Industrial accidents, while not uncommon in such zones, underscore the critical importance of stringent safety protocols and regular maintenance of equipment.
The Till Healthcare facility, where the explosion occurred, is involved in the production of pharmaceutical tablets. Further details regarding the timeline of events leading up to the blast and the specific nature of the equipment involved are expected to emerge as investigations progress.
The Chenab Times News Desk