17 dead, 41 injured in reactor blast in Andhra Pradesh pharma co

As many as 17 people lost their loves and 41 others were injured in a reactor blast at a pharma company in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, a local media reported. All injuries are serious.

The Escientia's plant, situated in Achutapuram Special Economic Zone of the Anakapalle district, saw smoke billowing from the unit and covering nearby areas.



Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan said the fire broke out at 2:15 pm at Escientia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd at Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district. "The factory operates with 381 employees in two shifts. The blast occurred during lunch time. Therefore, staff presence was less, Krishnan told PTI, adding that the explosion is suspected to be electricity-related.were rescued from the unit. The collector said 13 people trapped in the unit were rescued.


Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the loss of lives. The CM assured that the government will stand by the families of the workers who died, said an official press release. He is in constant touch with Collector, SP, Home Minister, Secretaries of Health, Industry and Factories. Naidu will visit the blast site on Thursday. He further ordered an enquiry regarding the blast.


Escientia Advanced Sciences, which manufactures intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) commenced production in April 2019 with an investment of Rs 200 crore. It is located in a 40-acre campus in the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation's (APIIC) multi-product special economic zone (SEZ) at Atchutapuram cluster.