Firefighters douse a fire which broke out following an explosion in a reactor pharma unit of pharmaceutical company Escientia, in Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh.
Credit: PTI Photo
Hyderabad: Even as Anakapalli witnessed one of the largest pharma factory mishaps in the region in which 17 were killed two days ago, another mishap had taken place in Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) in Parawada in the same district. Late on Thursday night, fire broke out at Synergene Active Ingredients Pvt Ltd.
Around four workers belonging to Jharkhand were injured. There were no fatalities. The injured workers are undergoing treatment at a private hospital and it is learnt they are out of danger.
Anakapalli SP M Deepika Patil said it was a flash fire ignited by a chemical liquid while being mixed with some other substance. The vapours got ignited by static electricity that had led to a fire, she added.
Following the incident, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu spoke to district officials and inquired about the details and the medical treatment being provided to the victims.
He instructed officials to take all necessary measures to provide better medical treatment. He directed the Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and other senior officials to immediately visit the victims.
He also instructed officials to send him updates on the incident and the assistance being provided to the victims from time to time.
Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan said he was deeply saddened by the news of another accident in the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City. “This incident comes close on the heels of the tragic accident at Atchutapuram Pharma SEZ, where 17 lives were lost. It is disheartening to note that four laborers from Jharkhand, who came to work for their livelihood, are critically injured. The frequent occurrence of accidents in pharma companies, which deal with hazardous chemicals, is a wake-up call for the management and concerned authorities to be more vigilant. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured and assure that the government will stand by them in all possible ways,” said Pawan Kalyan.