Bhubaneswar: In one of the deadliest industrial tragedies in recent times, at least four workers from Odisha lost their lives in a massive explosion at the Sigachi Industries Limited pharmaceutical plant in Telangana’s Sangareddy district. The blast, which occurred on Monday morning in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit, also left several others injured and triggered a frantic search for missing workers.
The deceased have been identified as Rajnala Jagan Mohan from Ganjam, Lagnajeeth Duari from Tigiria, Manoj Rout from Balasore, and Dolagobinda Sahu from Jajpur. All were employed at the factory and were present during the explosion, which ripped through the unit located in the Pashamylaram industrial area, about 50 kilometres from Hyderabad. The intensity of the explosion was such that it sparked a massive fire, reportedly killing more than 36 workers and injuring many more.
More than 100 labourers were reportedly working in the factory at the time of the blast, most of them migrants from Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos and destruction, stating that the explosion was so forceful it hurled workers several metres away from the blast site.
Among the injured, Sameer Padhi from Ganjam is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit at Pranaam Hospital in Madinaguda with approximately 35 percent burn injuries. Doctors have confirmed that his condition is stable. Two other workers from Odisha, Chandan Kumar Naik of Bhadrak and Neelambar Bhadra of Nabarangpur, sustained minor injuries and are recovering in the general ward. Another Odia worker, Chitrasen Batra, is receiving treatment at Druva Hospital in Patancheru.
The Odisha Government has promptly responded to the tragedy by sending senior officials to Telangana to support relief efforts. Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty at the Directorate of Odisha Paribar, and Dr. Chandra Sekhar Hota from the Odisha Police Service have reached the site and are coordinating with local authorities. The team has visited the hospitals, interacted with doctors treating the injured, and is assisting the families of the victims.
Efforts are still underway to trace 22 missing workers who were inside the factory when the explosion occurred. Rescue operations continue as authorities search through the debris, hoping for signs of life.
The incident has sparked deep concern over industrial safety standards and the working conditions faced by migrant labourers. While an investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the explosion, questions are being raised about regulatory lapses and preventive mechanisms.
With families of the deceased mourning the loss of their loved ones and several others still in critical condition, the Odisha Government has assured that all necessary support, including compensation and rehabilitation measures, will be extended to those affected by the tragedy.
