Pashamylaram (Sangareddy), July 2,2025
Two days after the deadly explosion at Sigachi Industries Limited in Pashamylaram, Sangareddy district, rescue and search operations are still underway as the site remains sealed. The blast, which occurred on Monday morning, has now claimed over 40 lives, with one more body recovered on Wednesday afternoon, bringing the total number of recovered bodies to 37. Company officials have officially informed the National Stock Exchange (NSE) that at least 40 workers were killed in the incident. The factory was involved in manufacturing Microcrystalline Cellulose powder, a pharmaceutical excipient used in tablets and capsules, known to be highly flammable.
The aftermath of the explosion has been grim. A steady stream of grieving families gathered outside the factory gates, some holding up photographs of their missing loved ones. A temporary tent was set up about half a kilometre from the site to collect DNA samples from relatives, as many of the bodies were charred beyond recognition. Around 1 p.m., four hearses arrived at the factory, and by 1.24 p.m., one of them departed carrying a body that officials said was found intact earlier in the day. Police and fire officials continue to maintain strict control over the entrance, only allowing authorized personnel to access the site.
In response to the tragedy, the Telangana government has constituted a four-member expert committee to investigate the cause of the blast and recommend safety reforms. The committee is chaired by Dr. B. Venkateswar Rao, Emeritus Scientist of CSIR-IICT, and includes senior scientists from CSIR institutes in Hyderabad and Pune. The panel has been tasked with assessing the plant’s safety compliance, identifying lapses, and submitting a detailed report within one month. The Director of Factories has been directed to assist the committee during the probe.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SRDF), Fire Department, and Sangareddy police continue to lead the recovery efforts at the blast site. Despite difficult weather conditions, operations have continued to locate remaining victims and secure the area. Meanwhile, concerns are also rising over the status of compensation to the families of the deceased. There has been confusion over the announcement of ex gratia of ₹1 crore per victim, and clarity from the authorities is still awaited.
On the business front, Sigachi Industries has seen its share prices tumble for the third consecutive day, falling nearly 8% amid growing public and investor concerns. With the probe into the Gulzar Houz fire incident still pending after 44 days, the Sangareddy tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for robust industrial safety enforcement in Telangana’s booming pharma sector.
