The death toll from the reactor explosion at Escientia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd has risen to 14, Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan confirmed to ANI. The explosion, which occurred during the lunch break, triggered a massive fire that engulfed the facility. Approximately 30 injured workers were transported to NTR District Hospital in Anakapalle, with some later transferred to hospitals in Visakhapatnam for further treatment. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.
Dozens of fire engines from Anakapalle and surrounding areas were deployed to battle the blaze. However, thick smoke enveloped the area, significantly hindering rescue efforts.
Escientia, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the SEZ, employs over 1,000 workers. The explosion caused widespread panic among the employees, many of whom gathered outside the facility, demanding compensation for the victims and accountability for the negligence that led to the incident.
This incident is not the first of its kind. Last month, a reactor explosion at Vasant Chemicals, another factory in the Atchutapuram SEZ, resulted in one death and two injuries. Additionally, in June 2023, six people were killed in a similar explosion at Sahiti Pharma, also located in the Atchutapuram SEZ.