Nine individuals remain unaccounted for following a devastating explosion at Sigachi Industries’ pharmaceutical plant in Pashamylaram, which has claimed at least 38 lives and injured 35, according to Sangareddy Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj. Rescue operations continue to locate the missing, with 90% of the debris cleared, though human remains may still be found and will be sent for forensic analysis.

A four-member expert committee, led by Dr. B Venkateswar Rao of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, is set to visit the site today to investigate the explosion’s cause and sequence of events. The panel, tasked with submitting a detailed report within a month, will assess compliance with safety protocols and recommend measures to prevent future incidents.

Pankaj noted that while the death toll stands at 38, ongoing Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) analysis of bones and remains could clarify the fate of the missing. Some of the 35 injured, currently under treatment, may be discharged soon.

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Sigachi’s Managing Director, Amit Raj Sinha, refuted claims of outdated machinery, asserting that while the facility is old, the equipment was not. He suggested a dust explosion in the dryer section, not a reactor blast, as the likely cause, countering earlier reports. The company has pledged Rs 1 crore as compensation for each deceased worker’s family and committed to full medical support for the injured.

The explosion, which occurred on June 30, has prompted a culpable homicide case against Sigachi’s management, following allegations of negligence and failure to address warnings about unsafe machinery. The absence of a Fire Department No Objection Certificate has further intensified scrutiny of the company’s safety practices.

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