Hyderabad: The death toll from a catastrophic explosion at a Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical facility in Pashamylaram, about 40 kilometers from Hyderabad, has surged to 36, up from an initial report of 12, as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the debris on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The incident, which occurred on Monday, June 30, 2025, involved a reactor explosion at the plant, leading to the collapse of a two-story structure, according to Sangareddy police superintendent Paritosh Pankaj. He noted that 31 bodies were retrieved from the rubble, with five workers found dead at the scene shortly after the blast.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy visited the site on Tuesday morning and announced financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for the families of the deceased from the state government. He reported that 33 workers were receiving medical treatment, with seven in critical condition, while 57 others safely returned home. The whereabouts of 17 individuals remained unknown, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the tragedy. At the government hospital in nearby Patancheru, emotional scenes unfolded as relatives gathered, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Only 13 bodies have been identified and released to families, with the rest too severely burned for immediate recognition.
Among the victims were E.M. Elanghovan, the company’s vice-president of operations, and a young couple from Kadapa district, Nikhil Reddy and Sri Ramya, who had married just two months prior and were working the same shift on the day of the explosion. Sigachi Industries, a manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose, announced a 90-day closure of the facility to repair damaged equipment and infrastructure. The company’s stock plummeted for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, reflecting investor concerns following the disaster.
ALSO READ : Death Toll Climbs To 37 In Telangana Factory Blast, Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Fears Of More Casualties
Multiple agencies, including the national and state disaster response forces, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, and fire services, worked tirelessly to clear the rubble and search for survivors. The explosion’s impact was so severe that it leveled the facility, leaving behind a daunting cleanup effort. The cause of the reactor explosion remains under investigation, with authorities yet to release an official statement on its origins.
-
-
-
-
