Explosion at Andhra Pradesh pharma plant kills 17, investigation underway

A devastating explosion at the Escientia Advanced Sciences plant in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalle district on Aug 21 resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people and left 41 others injured.

The incident occurred at the Achutapuram Special Economic Zone (SEZ), where the pharmaceutical company Escientia operates. The explosion happened around 2:15 pm, during the lunchtime break, which potentially mitigated the impact, as fewer workers were present at the time.

The blast took place at the plant's chemical reactor, where Escientia produces intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Officials have indicated that the explosion might have originated from an electricity-related fire or a gas leak that reached an electrical panel.

The severity of the blast caused extensive damage, with smoke from the explosion visible over the surrounding villages.

Emergency services, including six fire engines and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were promptly deployed to control the fire and assist with rescue operations. Injured workers were quickly transported to NTR Hospital in Visakhapatnam for medical treatment.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has called for a high-level investigation into the incident. He has assured that strict action will be taken against the plant's management if negligence is found to be the cause.

District police superintendent M Deepika confirmed that the rescue operations were completed, with the final toll standing at 17 dead and 34 injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, mourning the loss of lives and extending his sympathies to the victims' families. He emphasized India's commitment to safety and the need for diligence in industrial practices.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also conveyed their grief over the tragedy.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also called for preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, Anakapalli Member of Parliament, C.M. Ramesh, visited the affected victims at a private hospital in Anakapalli and assured that their conditions were stable.

He mentioned the possibility of transferring patients to hospitals in major cities like Hyderabad, Mumbai, or Delhi for advanced treatment if necessary.

In response to the tragedy, the Visakhapatnam District Collector, MN Harendhira Prasad, announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹1 crore to the families of the deceased. Chief Minister Naidu visited the injured and the families of the victims, expressing his condolences and providing support.

Established in April 2019 with an investment of ₹200 crore, the facility is situated on a 40-acre site within the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation's (APIIC) multi-product SEZ at Atchutapuram.

Escientia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd., which operates additional R&D centers in Connecticut (US) and Hyderabad, has faced scrutiny over the safety protocols at their Anakapalli plant. The incident has brought to light concerns regarding industrial safety standards and emergency preparedness.

As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on understanding the root cause of the explosion and ensuring that similar incidents are prevented in the future.