AP CM Announces Compensation Following Anakapalli Pharma Unit Explosion

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu announced Rs 1 crore compensation for families of deceased workers and Rs 50 lakhs for seriously injured following a reactor explosion in Anakapalli. Seventeen people died, and several others were injured. High-level inquiries have been initiated to address lapses.

Calling the pharma unit reactor explosion in Anakapalli 'unfortunate,' Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of workers who lost their lives and Rs 50 lakhs for those seriously injured in the blast. 'It is a very unfortunate incident. We have formed a committee to investigate all lapses and provide us with a report. We are working on how to improve our systems. Safety is paramount, and we will take all necessary precautionary measures,' Naidu said.

Earlier in the day, Naidu visited the injured at the pharma company in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Atchutapuram, Anakapalli. Seventeen people were killed, and several others sustained burn injuries following Wednesday’s reactor blast. The Chief Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs to the next of kin of the deceased, stating, 'Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at a factory in Anakapalle. Condolences to those who lost their near and dear ones. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased, and the injured will receive Rs 50,000.'

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences to the bereaved families on social media, saying, 'Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an explosion at a pharma company in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for a speedy recovery of the injured.'

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar also extended his condolences, stating, 'Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to the mishap at a factory in Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.'

The incident occurred when a 500-kilolitre capacitor reactor exploded at the pharma company, which still had around 200 workers on duty. (ANI)