Latest news with #MicrocrystallineCellulose
NDTV
21 hours ago
- Health
- NDTV
Temperature Buildup In Spray Dryer May Have Caused Telangana Factory Blast: Official
Hyderabad: An explosion in a spray dryer machine is suspected to have caused Telangana's worst industrial disaster at the pharmaceutical unit of Sigachi Industries at Pashamylaram near Hyderabad, claiming more than 30 lives. While authorities have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the blast, officials in the industries department believe that a massive temperature buildup in the spray dryer may have caused the explosion in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit. A spray dryer turns a liquid or slurry into a dried powder by atomising it into a hot gas stream. As a chemical process in a spray dryer leads to a sharp rise in temperature, a bow air handler is used to regulate airflow and temperature. Experts say the blow air handler has to be cleaned at regular intervals for the system to work effectively. They suspect that a lack of proper cleaning may have resulted in the temperature rising to the highest level in the spray dryer, and this could have triggered the explosion. The officials believe that the temperature at the time of the explosion had reached 700-800 degrees Celsius. Such was the impact of the explosion that the three-storey structure was razed to the ground, and some of the workers were thrown away to a distance of up to 50 feet. Sigachi Industries Ltd (SIL) is one of the largest manufacturers of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) worldwide and has three multi-locational facilities in Telangana and Gujarat. MCC is a commonly used excipient in the pharmaceutical industry. Incorporated in 1989, Sigachi has a diversified presence in pharmaceuticals, food, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. Sigachi's factory at Pashamylaram has been in operation for the last four decades. Spread over about four acres in the industrial cluster, it had four blocks. The factory had 189 employees, with the majority hailing from northern Indian states. About 145 workers were reportedly present in the premises on Monday morning when the blast snuffed out more than 30 lives and left 35 others injured. Sigachi announced on Monday that following the fire accident, the operations at its Hyderabad plant are being paused for an estimated 90 days to facilitate the replacement and restoration of affected equipment and structures. In a filing to the stock exchange, it said that the incident also caused damage to certain ancillary equipment and civil structures within the facility located in IDA Pashamylaram, Phase -1. The company said it is coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure all safety and support protocols are followed.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a day ago
- Health
- First Post
Telangana pharma factory blast: What caused the explosion that killed 42 people?
A powerful explosion at Sigachi Industries in Telangana's Sangareddy district killed at least 42 people and injured dozens of others on Monday. As per preliminary investigations, a sudden pressure build-up inside a spray-drying unit may have caused the massive explosion, leading to the collapse of a three-storey building read more The blast, which triggered the collapse of a three-storey building at Sigachi Industries Limited in the Pashamylaram industrial area, has become one of the worst industrial accidents the state has seen in recent years. PTI A powerful explosion tore through a pharmaceutical factory in Telangana's Sangareddy district on Monday morning, leaving at least 42 people dead and many others injured. The blast, which triggered the collapse of a three-storey building at Sigachi Industries Limited in the Pashamylaram industrial area, around 50 km from Hyderabad, has become one of the worst industrial accidents the state has seen in recent years. Rescue teams are still combing through the debris, and officials fear the death toll may rise further as more bodies are recovered from the rubble. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the investigation begins, the Telangana government has appointed a committee to look into what caused the deadly blast and whether safety lapses were involved. Here's what we know so far. What triggered the deadly blast at the Telangana chemical factory? Preliminary investigations suggest that a sudden pressure build-up inside a spray-drying unit may have caused the massive explosion at the Sigachi Industries factory. Y Nagi Reddy, Director General of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), told The News Minute that the blast occurred in the factory's Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit. MCC is a refined, partially broken-down form of cellulose derived from fibrous plant material like wood pulp. It's widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a key excipient in tablets and supplements. It also finds use as a bulking agent in food production. The spray dryer, where the explosion reportedly happened, is a machine that converts a liquid or slurry into a dry powder by spraying it into a stream of hot gas. Since this process generates extremely high temperatures, a blow air handler is used to control the heat and airflow within the system. The impact was so severe that the entire three-storey building came crashing down in seconds. Telangana chemical factory blast: An injured being taken for treatment after an explosion at a pharma plant, at Pashamylaram. PTI Sigachi Industries Ltd (SIL), one of the world's largest manufacturers of Microcrystalline Cellulose, operates three facilities across Telangana and Gujarat. The Pashamylaram unit, where the explosion occurred, has been operational for nearly 40 years. Spread over four acres, it houses four separate production blocks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, experts believe the blow air handler may not have been properly cleaned or maintained, leading to a dangerous rise in temperature. According to a report by IANS, officials say this overheating may have pushed temperatures as high as 700 to 800 degrees Celsius, far beyond safe limits, causing the explosion. This tragedy is not isolated. In the past 30 months, Telangana has seen at least 10 major blasts in industrial areas like Pashamylaram and Patancheru. Poor maintenance and a shortage of skilled operators are said to be the underlying reasons. In December, this very Sigachi plant cleared a safety check by the factory's department. But after Monday's blast, it has been shut down indefinitely. 'Blast so intense, workers fell down 100 m away' Eyewitnesses described the sheer force of the explosion as terrifying. Many workers were thrown off their feet, some hurled far from the blast site. 'Workers were tossed into the air and thrown several metres away,' people at the scene told South First. On Monday, Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha said around 90 workers were inside the unit when the explosion took place. Quoting survivors, he said, 'The explosion blew up the industrial shed completely, and the force of the blast was so intense that some of the workers were thrown up in the air and landed about 100 metres away.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | Telangana: A massive explosion at Sigachi Chemical Industry in Pashamilaram, Sangareddy district, has resulted in several deaths and serious injuries. The blast threw workers up to 100 meters away, trapping many in nearby tents as fires continued to rage. Firefighters are… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 30, 2025 Hospitals in the area were quickly overwhelmed. A senior official at Pranaam Hospitals in Miyapur confirmed they had received 21 patients on Monday. Most had severe burns and head injuries. 'Two were declared brought dead, and one more succumbed this morning,' the official said. Dhruva Hospitals in Patancheru also received 11 patients. Of the nine currently admitted, five are on ventilator support. 'We have seven patients with burns ranging from 40 to 80 per cent, and two others with 10 per cent burns,' a hospital official told PTI. Two of the most critical cases have been referred to super-speciality hospitals for advanced care. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rescue operations were continuing at the site, led by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), HYDRAA, and the Telangana Fire and Disaster Response Department. PTI The intensity of the blast left some bodies badly mutilated or burned beyond recognition. Authorities have now begun conducting DNA tests to help identify the deceased. As of Tuesday, rescue operations were continuing at the site, led by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), HYDRAA, and the Telangana Fire and Disaster Response Department. PM Modi announces ex gratia, probe ordered Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss. He announced Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Union Minister and Telangana BJP chief G Kishan Reddy said, 'NDRF, Police and other agencies are engaged in relief operations…Central financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs each will be given to families of the deceased persons and Rs 50,000 to the injured.' He added, 'The BJP never does politics on such issues. We will fully cooperate in relief activities…The state government should take all steps to prevent such accidents.' Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the latest incident and directed authorities to 'take all necessary steps to rescue any workers still trapped.' The state government has constituted a five-member committee to investigate the cause of the explosion and recommend safety measures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
32 Killed In Telangana Factory Blast, Many Critical, 27 Still Missing
Hyderabad: The number of deaths in the explosion in a pharmaceutical unit at Pashamylaram near Hyderabad rose sharply to 32 on Tuesday, with about 15 injured succumbing at hospitals overnight. The number of deaths in the worst industrial disaster in Telangana may go up further as the rescue workers continued searching for the bodies in the debris of a three-storey building, which collapsed under the impact of the blast. A massive explosion had rocked Sigachi Industries Limited's pharmaceutical factory at Pashamylaram industrial area in Sangareddy district, about 50 km from Hyderabad, on Monday morning. The explosion in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit also left 35 workers injured. The condition of 11 of them is stated to be critical. According to officials, 27 workers were still missing. They were feared trapped under the debris. Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), Revenue and police continued clearing debris. The majority of the victims were migrant workers from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. As many as 108 workers were at the factory at the time of the blast, which could be heard about five km away. The explosion triggered a huge fire, and 15 fire engines were used to douse the flames. According to eye-witnesses, such was the impact of the explosion that workers were tossed in the air and fell several meters away. As the bodies of some victims were blown to pieces or charred beyond recognition, the authorities were conducting DNA tests to establish their identity. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will be visiting the accident site on Tuesday. He will also call on the injured at a government hospital. Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha told media persons at the spot on Monday that the cause of the explosion was not yet known. The company, which is 40-45 years old, manufactures Microcrystalline Cellulose, he said. Labour Minister G. Vivek said prima facie it was not a reactor blast. Some problem in the air dryer system is believed to have resulted in the explosion and fire. The state government appointed a high-powered committee to probe the disaster and its underlying causes. The committer comprises the Chief Secretary, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), Principal Secretary (Labour), Principal Secretary (Health) and Additional DGP (Fire Services). According to the Chief Minister's Office, the panel would also make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such accidents.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
13 killed in chemical factory blast in Telangana (Roundup)
Hyderabad: A massive explosion at an industrial unit in Telangana's Sangareddy district claimed the lives of 13 workers and left 35 others injured on Monday. The blast occurred in a chemical factory at Pashamylaram industrial area, about 50 km from Hyderabad. The explosion in Sigachi Chemicals led to the collapse of a three-story building in the manufacturing unit and triggered a huge fire. The death toll may rise as some more workers are feared trapped under the debris. The injured were admitted to various hospitals, and the condition of 12 of them was critical. The explosion occurred around 9.30 a.m. in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit. The rescue operation was continuing on Monday night. According to eye-witnesses, such was the impact of the explosion that workers were tossed in the air and fell several meters away. Eleven fire engines brought the fire under control. Police, fire services and other personnel launched rescue and relief operations. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), Revenue and police were participating in rescue and relief works. Eight workers died on the spot while five others succumbed at hospitals. Company's vice-president M. E. Elanghovan is reported to be among the dead. As many as 108 workers were at the factory during the time of the explosion. Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, who visited the spot, said most of the workers managed to come out. Migrant workers from Bihar, Punjab, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and other states were employed in the industrial unit. The explosion and fire sent panic among the employees in the chemical unit and the adjoining factories. Raja Narasimha told media persons that the cause of the explosion was not yet known. The company, which is 40-45 years old, manufactures Microcrystalline Cellulose, he said. Labour Minister G. Vivek said 12 of the injured were on ventilator support as their respiratory system was badly affected. He said the factory manager was among those killed, and the records pertaining to workers were also destroyed in the fire. The Labour Minister said prima facie it was not a reactor blast. Some problem in the air dryer system is believed to have resulted in the explosion and fire. The disaster, one of the worst in the state's history, sent panic in the industrial cluster and triggered protests by families of the victims, who alleged that a lack of safety measures led to the tragedy. Anxious relatives of the missing workers staged a protest and tried to barge into the premises, demanding information about their loved ones. The protest led to a scuffle with the police and triggered tension. Director General (Fire Services) Nagi Reddy and HYDRAA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath also rushed to the spot. Sangareddy district Collector P. Pravinya and Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj were supervising rescue and relief operations. President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the accident. 'My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,' she said in her message. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy. He conveyed condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and prayed for the recovery of those injured. The Prime Minister announced that an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the accident, conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and promised all support to the victims. The Chief Minister instructed the Health Minister, Chief Secretary, and the DGP to deploy all efforts for the rescue and relief operations. He also appointed a high-powered committee to probe the disaster and its underlying causes. The committer comprises the Chief Secretary, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), Principal Secretary (Labour), Principal Secretary (Health) and Additional DGP (Fire Services). According to the Chief Minister's Office, the panel would also make recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such accidents. The Chief Minister will visit the hospital and meet families of the victims on Tuesday. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma expressed profound grief over the accident. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, termed the fire accident extremely tragic. 'My heartfelt condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this incident. I hope for the speedy recovery of all those injured,' he said. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said he was extremely anguished by the loss of precious lives. 'I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured. We wish them a speedy recovery,' he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Telangana pharma plant explosion: Sigachi says unit fully insured, assures support to affected persons
Sigachi Industries Ltd's Pashamylaram unit in Telangana in which 12 people died due to a blast on Monday will pause production for 90 days and the plant was fully insured, the company announced. Besides the 12 deaths, several people were injured and the company expressed anguish over the incident. The company said it deeply mourns the loss of life and extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. It also said the firm is extending all possible support to those affected. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo While the core manufacturing infrastructure has suffered damage, the operations at the plant will be temporarily paused for an estimated period of 90 days to facilitate replacement and restoration of affected equipment and structures, Sigachi said in a regulatory filing. "The Hyderabad facility is fully insured, and we are in the process of initiating the necessary claims as per standard procedures. We remain committed to resuming operations at the earliest, with enhanced focus on safety, risk mitigation, and operational excellence," it said. Live Events While the exact number of injuries is currently being confirmed, the well-being of its employees remains the foremost priority, it said. In addition to the human impact, the incident also caused damage to certain ancillary equipment and civil structures within the facility, it said. The pharmaceutical company in an exchange filing said, "... on June 30, 2025, at approximately 9:20 AM (IST), a fire incident occurred in the vicinity of our Hyderabad Plant located at Pashamylaram, Phase-1..." "The incident has unfortunately resulted in loss of human life, and there may have been individuals who sustained injuries. While the exact number of injuries is currently being confirmed, the well-being of our personnel remains our foremost priority." A thorough on-ground assessment of the situation is currently in progress, and the company is coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure all safety and support protocols are followed, it added. The company operates three manufacturing facilities for Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC), one of which is the Hyderabad unit where the incident occurred. The unit contributes around 6,000 MTPA out of the total operating capacity of 21,700 MTPA, with the balance production coming from our other two facilities located in Gujarat, it added. The other two plants continue to operate normally, and efforts are being made to optimise production from those units during the interim period, the company said. Shares of the pharma company, which is one of the major Microcrystalline Cellulose manufacturers globally, ended 11.58 per cent down at Rs 48.79 apiece on BSE.
