Deadly Blast at Indian Pharma Plant Kills at Least 39, Exposes Safety Crisis

A devastating explosion and fire ripped through a Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical factory in Pashamylaram, Telangana, on Monday, June 30, 2025, killing a minimum of 39 workers and injuring over 33 more. The disaster struck around 9 a.m. local time, ripping apart the plant’s spray dryer unit when approximately 143 people were on-site.

Survivors describe a sudden eruption of flames and debris that sent workers fleeing amid collapsing walls. Emergency crews recovered 34 charred bodies, while two additional victims later died in hospitals. Worse, many remains were so badly burned that DNA testing is now required for identification.

Sigachi Industries—which supplies microcrystalline cellulose globally—halted operations at Pashamylaram for 90 days following the blast. The company’s stock plunged around 8% in two days, and a five-person state committee has been set up to investigate the exact cause.

Authorities emphasized that the explosion was not linked to a reactor failure, pointing instead to a possible mechanical or process malfunction. Debris clearance continues as officials search for any remaining casualties under the rubble .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy both offered condolences and announced immediate compensation—₹10 million (≈$117,000) per family and ₹200,000 (≈$2,300) from the federal government. Investigators say preliminary findings hint at old equipment and missing safety certifications.

Labor groups say the incident echoes India’s troubling pattern of industrial accidents, from multi-death episodes in 2021 to the infamous 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. Critics have demanded tougher enforcement on plant safety and better oversight across the nation’s booming pharmaceutical sector.

This tragedy sends shockwaves through India’s role as a global drug supplier. As investigations proceed and families mourn, the urgent question remains: will this disaster prompt accountability—or will cost-cutting and lax oversight continue to claim lives?