4 killed, 10 injured as boiler explodes in Andhra Pradesh pharma factory

The explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Sri City caused a part of the building’s roof to collapse, trapping workers.

Rescue teams launched relief and rescue operations at the site and were working to locate and evacuate people who may still be trapped. (Representative Image)Rescue teams launched relief and rescue operations at the site and were working to locate and evacuate people who may still be trapped. (Representative Image)

At least four workers were killed and 10 others were injured when a boiler exploded at a pharmaceutical factory in Sri City in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district on Saturday morning. The massive blast caused a part of the building’s roof to collapse, trapping workers who were later rescued, officials said.

Sri City, located along National Highway 16, is one of India’s largest multi-product Special Economic Zones and houses over 250 companies, including several pharmaceutical units.

The explosion occurred as several night-shift workers were preparing to leave the facility.

Fire, police and rescue teams rushed to the spot. The blaze that broke out following the explosion was later brought under control, while the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

At least 3 similar incidents in 12 months

The incident is the latest in a series of industrial accidents in Andhra Pradesh. In June, eight workers were killed after a ladle carrying molten steel broke and sparked a major fire at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) plant, also known as the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

In February, 21 people were killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district, while six people were killed in a blast at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Rayavaram in the Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema district in October last year.

Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance. Expertise and Experience Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues: High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy. Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules. Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes. Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak. Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More

 

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