A reactor blast and the ensuing fire in a private chemicals factory in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh killed six workers and grievously injured a dozen on Thursday.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday in the Porus Labs unit located at Akkireddygudem.
While five workers died on the spot, another person succumbed to burns while being taken to the hospital.
12 workers who suffered major burns of varying degrees are undergoing treatment in Vijayawada hospitals. Some of them were in critical condition.
Fire tenders and disaster relief forces were rushed to the spot and the flames were brought under control within a couple of hours.
At least about 50 workers were reportedly on the shift in the unit when the blast occurred.
Eluru collector Prasanna Venkatesh said that they are probing the cause of the reactor blast. “We are verifying if the blast occurred due to high pressure or use of hazardous chemicals,” the official said after visiting the site.
The collector said that any rule violation by the management would also be investigated while ordering an immediate shutdown of the unit pending inquiry.
Hyderabad-based Porus Labs specialises in the development and production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, intermediates and speciality chemicals.
Locals staged protests at the factory gate demanding immediate closure of the unit. Neighbouring villagers allege that the unit has been causing water and air pollution besides affecting their crop production.
Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy expressed shock over the accident and loss of lives. Reddy has announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 5 lakh to the grievously injured and Rs 2 lakh to the injured.
Another Rs 25 lakh compensation would be paid by Porus Labs to the kin of the dead, officials said.
Four of the dead are from Bihar and two from Andhra Pradesh.
While instructing the officials to ensure proper treatment to the injured, Reddy ordered a detailed probe of the incident.
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