Tragedy at Andhra Pharma Unit: Explosion Claims 17 Lives

A powerful vapour cloud explosion on August 21 at a pharma unit in Andhra Pradesh led to 17 deaths and injured around 40 workers. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu attributed the accident to failure in following Standard Operating Procedures by the firm Escientia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd.

A devastating vapour cloud explosion at a pharmaceutical unit in Andhra Pradesh claimed 17 lives and injured approximately 40 workers on August 21, according to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Addressing the media, Naidu pointed to lapses in Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) by Escientia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd as the cause for the catastrophic event. He noted the explosion’s severity, indicating it blew up several walls and hurled workers against barriers.

Naidu lamented the security weaknesses, urging all industrialists in the red category to undertake immediate internal safety audits to prevent such tragedies. He announced ex-gratia of Rs one crore for deceased victims' families and up to Rs 50 lakh for the severely injured.