Two killed, 5 hurt in pharma unit blast in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: Two workers died and five received serious burn injuries in a major explosion in Sahithi Pharmaceutical company in Atchutapuram SEZ under Anakapalli on Friday morning.

The incident occurred around 11.30 am during the morning shift when 35 workers were present. Two reactors in the solvent recovery area, where solvents were in the process of mixing, exploded. This gutted the entire factory.

The King George Hospital identified the deceased as Uppada Tirupati (38) and Paila Sattibabu (35).

The fire continued to rage till evening though six fire tenders were at work to douse the fire.

Sattibabu of Jangalapalem in Rambilli mandal of Anakapalli district died of 95 per cent burn injuries and Uppada of Vizianagaram district with 55 per cent burn injuries.

The injured were B. Rameshwar (45) of Bhubaneswar, Singamsettti Nookanaidu (40)  Apparayudupalem in Panchadarla of Rambilli mandal, Sagireddy Rajababu of Nakkapalli mandal, Sammangi Appa Rao (43) of Nakkapalli and Pilla Santosh of Konda Koppaka village in Anakapalli district.

Three firemen also received minor injuries while fighting the fire.

Officials from the industries ministry visited the hospital and conveyed the Chief Minister's grief to the families of the deceased and injured. The state government announced an ex-gratia of '25 lakh to the families of each of the deceased.

The Chief Minister has instructed the district administration and the industries minister to provide better treatment to the injured.