HYDERABAD: A massive explosion at Sigachi Chemicals in the Pashamailaram Industrial Area, Patancheru, near Hyderabad, has, claimed at least 12 lives on Monday morning and injured many.  State Minister Damodara Raja Narasimha said, "As many as 12 people died and 34 people are under treatment. We are hopeful that there will be no more (deaths)."

The blast, reportedly caused by a reactor malfunction around 9 a.m., triggered a fierce fire that engulfed the facility, leaving several workers trapped under debris and dozens seriously injured.

According to reports quoting eyewitnesses, there were about 60 workers in the factory when the explosion took place. The force was so devastating that workers were reportedly thrown up to 100 meters, causing parts of the factory to collapse. Thick chemical smoke filled the air, raising concerns about air quality in the surrounding area. Emergency response teams, including eleven fire engines, two fire robots, and disaster response units, were deployed to extinguish the blaze and rescue trapped individuals. Ambulances rushed the injured, many with severe burns, to nearby hospitals, where some remain in critical condition.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed shock and urged officials to accelerate rescue efforts and provide medical support. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy assured central government assistance for the affected families. Authorities suspect a pressure build-up in the reactor as the likely cause, with forensic teams and industrial safety inspectors investigating to pinpoint the exact trigger.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns about safety standards in the Pashamailaram and Sangareddy industrial areas, which have seen similar reactor-related accidents in recent years. The state government has vowed to conduct a thorough inquiry to address potential safety lapses. Rescue operations continue as authorities work to free those still trapped and monitor the environmental impact of the chemical smoke.