Anakapalli: Two dead, 5 injured in explosion at Sahithi Pharmaceutical Company

Anakapalle: Two workers were killed and five sustained serious burn injuries in a major explosion at Sahithi Pharmaceutical Company located in Achyutapuram SEZ at Anakapalli on Friday. At the time of the incident, seven were severely injured, and two among them had 95% burns.

The incident took place at around 11.30 am during the morning shift. Around 35 workers were working when the incident occurred. Two reactors in the solvent recovery area exploded during chemical mixing. A massive fire engulfed the facility. Six fire tenders were trying to douse the fire.

King George Hospital officials identified the deceased workers as Uppada Tirupathi and Paila Sattibabu.

Sattibabu of Jangalapalem in Rambilli mandal of Anakapalli district succumbed to 95 percent burn injuries and Uppada Tirupati of Vizianagaram district died with 55 percent burn injuries which damaged internal organs including lungs.

Injured persons were identified as B Rameshwar (45) of Bhubaneswar, Singamsettti Nookanaidu (40) Apparayudupalem in Panchadarla of Rambilli mandal, and Sagireddy Rajababu of Nakkapalli Mandal, Sammangi Appa Rao (43) of Nakkapalli and Pilla Santosh Kumar of Konda Koppaka village in Anakapalli district. Three firemen also received minor injuries while fighting the fire.

Officials from the Ministry of Industries visited the hospital and conveyed the message of the chief minister to the families of the deceased and injured.

The state government announced Rs. 25 lakh ex gratia to the deceased persons and the chief minister instructed the district administration and the Industries Minister to provide better treatment to the injured persons