On Wednesday, August 21, a devastating explosion at the Escientia pharmaceutical plant in the Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Andhra Pradesh resulted in the deaths of four people and left more than 20 others injured. The blast occurred during the lunch hour, catching many employees by surprise.
Ambulances Rush To The Site, Workers Cover Faces
Emergency services rushed to the scene at the Escientia pharmaceutical plant, as thick grey smoke billowed from the site. Visuals from the area showed ambulances arriving quickly and workers covering their faces to avoid the smoke. Anakapalli Superintendent of Police, Deepika Patil, confirmed the fatalities and stated that rescue operations are ongoing. She added that while the explosion happened at the reactor site, it was not in the reactor itself. The exact cause of the blast is still under investigation.
Injured Taken To The Anakapalli NTR Hospital
The injured individuals have been taken to Anakapalli NTR Hospital and a nearby private hospital for their treatment. So far, 10 people have been rescued, although they too have sustained injuries from the explosion. Moreover, among the deceased are Pudi Mohan and N. Harika, who were identified as workers from nearby Rambilli Mandal. According to reports, the explosion and subsequent fire broke out during the lunch break at the Escientia plant, which is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the SEZ with over 1,000 employees.
Employees And Residents Demand Compensation
Firefighters and police from Anakapalli and surrounding areas arrived at the scene to control the fire, but the thick smoke hampered their efforts. Officials are continuing to work to manage the situation and ensure that all victims receive medical attention. In response to the incident, employees and residents from nearby villages gathered outside the plant, demanding compensation for the victims and accountability for what they view as negligence that led to the explosion. This incident marks the third reactor explosion in the Atchutapuram SEZ; a similar explosion at Vasantha Chemicals on July 17 killed a migrant worker from Odisha. The community and officials are awaiting further details as the investigation into the cause of the blast continues.