Sigachi Industries Explosion: One of Telangana’s Worst Industrial Disasters

Key details:

• Death toll: As of July 1, at least 36 people have been confirmed dead. The number has been rising as rescue operations continue and more bodies are recovered from the debris.
• Injured and missing: Over 34 people are injured, with several in critical condition. Dozens remain missing and are feared trapped under the rubble.
• Blast details: The explosion occurred in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit of the plant. The force was so intense that some workers were reportedly thrown up to 100 meters away. Eyewitnesses described workers being tossed in the air and falling far from the site.
• Casualties: Many of the victims were migrant workers from states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.
• Rescue efforts: Rescue operations are ongoing, involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), fire services, and police. Specialized medical teams are conducting DNA tests to identify many of the deceased, as several bodies are charred beyond recognition.
• Government response: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy visited the site, announced compensation for victims' families (up to Rs 1 crore for the deceased), and ordered inspections of all chemical factories in the state. A high-powered committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the explosion.
• Company response: Sigachi Industries has suspended operations at the Hyderabad facility for 90 days to allow for repairs and restoration.
• Cause: The exact cause is still under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the explosion may have been triggered by a problem in the air dryer system or a chemical reaction in a reactor during routine operations. Authorities have not ruled out safety lapses, and local officials have accused the company of neglecting safety protocols.

This incident has drawn national attention to industrial safety standards and the plight of migrant workers in hazardous industries.