The death toll from a devastating explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Telangana’s Pashamylaram industrial estate has climbed to 12, Health Minister Damodara Raja Narasimha confirmed on Monday, 30 June 2025.
The blast, believed to have been sparked by a chemical reaction, also left at least 34 people injured.
Speaking to journalists, Narasimha expressed hope that the casualty count would not rise further. “We’ve lost 12 lives, and 34 individuals are under medical care. We’re doing everything possible to ensure no more fatalities,” he said.
Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy, who visited the site, revealed the grim progression of the tragedy. “Eight people were confirmed dead this morning, and we’ve since recovered four more bodies,” he said. The explosion, which triggered a fire, occurred at a reactor in the Sigachi Pharma plant between 9:28 and 9:35 AM, according to officials.
Inspector General of Police (Multizone) V Satyanarayana reported that around 150 workers were present at the facility when the blast occurred, with approximately 90 in the affected area. Efforts to verify the exact number of employees on-site have been hampered, as the person responsible for attendance records is believed to have perished in the incident.
The plant’s management swiftly notified local police, who alerted the fire department to tackle the blaze. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the suspected chemical reaction that led to the catastrophe.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of life, offering condolences to the families of the victims. In a post on X, he announced financial aid from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund: ₹2 lakh for the kin of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for those injured.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy voiced his distress over the incident, instructing officials to prioritise rescue operations and ensure top-tier medical treatment for the injured, according to an official statement.
Sigachi Industries Limited, the company operating the plant, describes itself on its website as a pharmaceutical firm specialising in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), intermediates, excipients, vitamin-mineral blends, and operations and management services. The company has yet to issue a statement on the tragedy.