India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 01 July 2025
In one of India’s deadliest industrial disasters in recent years, the death toll from the massive explosion at Sigachi Industries’ pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Telangana has risen to 36.
The blast occurred in the spray-dryer section of the unit at Pashamylaram in Sangareddy district on June 30, causing a fire and the collapse of the structure. Rescue teams recovered 34 charred bodies from beneath the debris, while two more succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Several others remain in critical condition.
With over 140 workers present during the explosion, the incident has raised urgent questions about safety protocols in India’s chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. The Telangana government has launched a high-level inquiry into the cause of the blast and ordered safety inspections at all similar facilities across the state. The company has shut operations at the plant for 90 days as investigations continue.
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This tragedy has reignited debate around compliance and disaster preparedness within the pharma industry, particularly in high-risk operations like chemical processing. DNA testing is underway to identify victims, given the extent of burns.
Sigachi Industries has seen a sharp fall in its stock value following the incident, with supply disruptions expected to impact production in the near term. The industry now faces renewed pressure to prioritize workplace safety.
