The death toll in the tragic explosion at a chemical factory in Telangana has risen to 36, with several people still reported missing. The blast occurred at Sigachi Chemical Industries in Pashamilaram on Monday, triggering a massive fire and widespread devastation.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy confirmed the updated casualty figures on Tuesday, stating that more bodies were recovered during the ongoing rescue operations. The toll, which stood at 12 on Monday night, rose to 34 by Tuesday morning and has now reached 36, following varying reports from local authorities and rescue teams.
"According to official reports, 36 people have died so far. The administration is still verifying the whereabouts of the missing persons," said Chief Minister Reddy, who has been closely monitoring the situation.
District Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj, speaking to PTI, confirmed that "many bodies have been recovered from the rubble, and the final stage of the rescue operation is still underway."
The explosion is suspected to have originated from a reactor blast inside the factory, leading to a catastrophic fire that quickly engulfed parts of the plant. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
State Health Minister Damodar Rajnarasinha revealed that approximately 90 employees were present at the factory when the incident took place. Rescue teams, including the fire brigade, NDRF, and local police, have been working round-the-clock to search for survivors and retrieve bodies from the debris.
The state government has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and assured strict action against any lapses in safety protocols. An official inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion and evaluate the factory's compliance with industrial safety standards.