HYDERABAD: The death toll from the devastating explosion at a chemical factory in Telangana’s Medak district has risen to 35 as of Tuesday morning, with several workers still missing and rescue operations continuing. Many families remain in anguish, waiting for news of their loved ones amid the rubble of the collapsed structure.
The blast, which occurred early Monday at Sigachi Industries’ multi-storey facility—located about 50 km from Hyderabad—has left behind a trail of destruction and grief. Officials fear the number of casualties may rise further as emergency teams continue to search through the debris.
The government hospital in Patancheru, where the post-mortems are being conducted, confirmed the current toll of 35. Bodies recovered so far have been severely burnt or crushed, complicating identification efforts. As of late Monday, only four victims had been identified.
Workers at the factory hailed from across India, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Forensic doctors and DNA experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory have been deployed to assist in identification, following instructions from state health minister Damodar Raja Narsimha.
Rescue efforts are being carried out by over 200 personnel from the fire department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Dryer Malfunction Suspected
Preliminary investigations indicate that a malfunction in a dryer within the quality control unit may have triggered the massive explosion. The blast completely flattened parts of the Rs 500-crore Sigachi Industries facility.
Among the deceased is the factory’s general manager, A Loganan, who was responsible for tracking staff attendance. Officials noted that his death has complicated efforts to determine the exact number of people inside the building at the time of the explosion. Loganan was reportedly just stepping out of his vehicle when the blast occurred.
An adjacent HR block and a boundary wall were partially damaged in the explosion. Fire officials said some victims were crushed by falling concrete, while others succumbed to severe burns as flames rapidly engulfed the premises.
Grief, Chaos, and Uncertainty
Outside hospitals and the factory site, distraught family members have been anxiously awaiting information, many clinging to hope that their relatives will be found alive. “We still don’t know how many people were inside,” said G V Narayana Rao, Director of Fire Services. “Until the rubble is fully cleared, we won’t have an accurate assessment.”
The lack of precise headcount and absence of accountability from the company’s management have made the rescue efforts more difficult. Authorities say several workers remain unaccounted for.
Leaders Respond, Probe Launched
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for those injured.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is expected to visit the injured and meet the victims’ families on Tuesday. He has instructed the health minister, chief secretary, and director general of police to closely monitor rescue and relief efforts. A five-member committee has been constituted to investigate the cause of the blast and suggest preventive measures.
Sigachi Industries, which manufactures microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), notified stock exchanges that an “accident in the vicinity” of its Medak unit had occurred. The company has yet to release a detailed statement or respond to questions about worker safety protocols and exact employee numbers on-site at the time of the incident.
As rescue workers continue their grim task, the tragedy has underscored persistent concerns about industrial safety and regulatory oversight in India’s growing manufacturing sector.
