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At least 12 workers have been killed and many others injured after a blast at an industrial unit in India’s Telangana, India Today has reported.
The blast occurred on Monday morning, triggering a massive fire within the factory premises and prompting emergency response teams to rush to the site, the report added.
Preliminary information suggests that the explosion occurred without any prior warning, catching workers off guard.
The blast sparked a massive fire that engulfed the Sigachi Chemicals factory.
Firefighters rushed to the spot, and eventually, 11 fire engines were able to control the flame.
The police, fire service, and other agencies are conducting rescue and relief operations. Ambulances were seen rushing the injured to nearby hospitals.
Citing officials, the report said six workers died on the spot, while two others succumbed to injuries during treatment. At least 22 people are undergoing treatment in hospitals, two to three of whom are said to be in critical condition.
“At the time of the accident, around 150 workers were present. About 90 of them were at the exact spot where the blast occurred,” Inspector General of Police Satyanarayana was quoted as saying.
Witnesses say that the blast was so intense that workers were tossed into the air and fell several metres away. The impact of the explosion caused the manufacturing unit in the factory to collapse and the fire spread to the adjoining building.
The industrial unit employs migrant workers from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and other states.
The fire set off a panic among the employees in the chemical unit and adjoining factories, many of whom fled.
Rescue workers are using earthmovers to remove debris from the scene. A worker was pulled from the rubble and sent to the hospital.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has expressed his shock at the incident, instructing officials to take all necessary workers trapped in the incident.
His office added that he had instructed that the injured be provided the best possible medical treatment.