One killed in factory blast in Bonthapally village

Hyderabad: A man was killed and five others were injured when a reactor accidentally exploded at Saanvi Laboratories in the Bonthapally village of Medak district on Saturday. The reactor exploded when workers started operations.

The victim, Ahmed Lashkar, 20, a native of Assam, died on the spot. Five others were rushed to hospital. The condition of two people is critical. Company officials had not installed basic safety measures at the factory.

The incident occurred early in the morning while eight workers were at the spot. Officials said that in one of the lab rooms ammonium nitrate was being stored. Pressure built up in the room and a reactor exploded.

“Due to the blast, fire spread in the lab and the roof came down. The walls were also damaged. Ahmed Lashkar sustained injuries on his head and body and died on the spot,” said a police official from Medak.

Two others, Murali Babu from Suraram and Anil Kumar from Madhya Pradesh were injured seriously. Doctors said their condition was critical.

Two people escaped without injuries. As the fire spread, a fire tender came and controlled the blaze.

The Jinnaram police has booked a case. “We are checking whether the management had installed safety measures on the premises,” said SI Lalu Naik.