A major fire following an explosion at a pharma-related industrial facility in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district claimed the lives of two workers on Tuesday, raising fresh concerns about industrial safety in the region.
The incident occurred at the Dakshin Energy plant located in Pharma City near Parawada, a major industrial hub on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam. According to officials, an explosion triggered a massive blaze that quickly spread through parts of the facility, trapping workers and creating panic among employees present at the site.
Emergency response teams, including firefighters and police personnel, rushed to the plant after receiving reports of the accident. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby units within the industrial complex.
Authorities confirmed that two workers lost their lives in the incident. Several others were evacuated from the area as a precautionary measure, while emergency teams conducted searches to ensure no one remained trapped inside the affected sections of the plant.
Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion before thick smoke and flames engulfed parts of the facility. The sudden nature of the accident left workers scrambling for safety as emergency protocols were activated.
District officials and industrial safety authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and subsequent fire. Preliminary assessments suggest a technical malfunction or operational issue may have contributed to the incident, though officials said it was too early to draw conclusions.
The accident has once again highlighted the risks associated with handling hazardous materials and operating industrial facilities that support the pharmaceutical sector. Andhra Pradesh’s Pharma City houses numerous manufacturing and support units, making safety compliance a critical concern for both companies and regulators.
Following the incident, authorities are expected to review safety measures at the facility and examine whether all operational protocols were being followed. Compensation and support for the families of the deceased workers are also likely to be addressed by the company and local administration.
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