5 Workers Suffer Severe Burns in Reactor Explosion at Andhra Pradesh Pharma Lab

Four persons suffered severe burn injuries after a reactor exploded at a pharmaceutical lab in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalli district killed on Tuesday. The blast occurred at Sahithi Pharma, a unit located at Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district.

The explosion caused a fire and huge plumes of smoke billowed from the lab. The fire spread to nearby storage tanks and another unit of Sahithi Pharma. Four fire engines were used to put out the fire.

Police are on the spot trying to douse the flames and control the crowds gathered there so that they do not approach the accident site.

"So far it is not confirmed as to how many people died but four persons suffered severe burn injuries," Parawada DSP K V Satyanarayana told PTI on Friday.

Meanwhile, police are arranging ambulances to shift the injured and also making arrangements at NTR Government Hospital in Anakapalli town to treat them, police said.

The district collector and superintendent of police are reaching the accident site, they added.

Anakapalli SP Murali Krishna said that a case had been registered and an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the explosion and whether there was any negligence on the part of the management.

The deceased workers have been identified as two women and three men. Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The injured workers have been admitted to a local hospital.