look news india
Anakapalli factory blast: A fire broke out at a pharma company in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh at around 2.15 pm on Wednesday (August 21). So far 18 people have died in this incident. More than 36 people have been injured. All have been admitted to NTR Hospital.
This incident took place at the plant of pharma company Escientia in Achuthapuram SEZ. Eyewitnesses said that first a fire broke out near the company's reactor and then there was a huge explosion. The impact was so strong that even the slab of the first floor of the building collapsed.
People said that other people could have also been injured in this incident. Because more than 381 employees work in two shifts in the factory. At the time when the fire broke out, most of the employees had gone to have lunch. Meanwhile, Anakapalle DM Vijayan Krishnan said that 13 people have also been rescued.
Officials said that solvent oil was being pumped from the first floor to the second floor when it leaked and caught fire. This led to the explosion of the 500 kilolitre capacitor reactor.
State Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has expressed grief over the Anakapalle incident. He has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. The Chief Minister said that strict action will be taken if negligence of the factory management is found.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to use air ambulance to take the injured to another hospital if necessary. The Chief Minister has directed the State Health Secretary to visit the accident site immediately. Also, the Chief Minister himself will visit the accident site today. He will meet the families of the deceased and will also visit the hospital to see the injured.
