4 killed, 16 hurt in explosion at Telangana pharma co

A blast in a chemical reactor at a pharmaceutical company’s plant in Telangana’s Sangareddy district killed at least four people, including the firm’s director, and left 16 others grievously injured. According to fire officials, the blast occurred around 4.45 pm, and triggered a massive fire at the factory of S B Organics Ltd about 100 km from Hyderabad. While one of the deceased was identified as the pharma company’s director D Ravi, the identity of three others was yet to be ascertained. The injured, all of whom have suffered third degree burns, have been admitted to different hospitals. At least five workers are said to be critical. A case has been registered against the company. Sangareddy SP Ch Rupesh said the victims were employees of the company, working at different levels. A police officer said overheating of the reactor and the defunct sensors were suspected to have caused the explosion, but a joint probe by police and fire departments had begun to ascertain the exact cause.