Sigachi Industries Unit in Sangareddy Explodes During Spray Drying Process; Multiple Bodies Recovered, Rescue Ops Continue
A catastrophic explosion at Sigachi Industries’ pharmaceutical plant in Pashamylaram, Telangana, has left India in shock. What began as a routine day at the factory ended in a horrific fire, building collapse, and one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent years, with the death toll rising to 36–39. The suspected cause—a spray dryer reactor explosion triggered by a chemical pressure buildup—has reopened urgent debates on industrial safety in India’s booming pharma sector. As rescue teams continue sifting through the rubble, questions mount over regulatory oversight and corporate accountability.
Massive Blast at Sigachi Industries Pharma Unit in Sangareddy
#WATCH | Sangareddy, Telangana | A reactor blast took place at Sigachi Pharma Company, Pasamailaram Phase 1, Medak. Fire tenders and police officials are present at the spot
— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2025
More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/3pC59g34y1
On July 1, 2025, a powerful explosion ripped through Sigachi Industries’ multi-storey chemical unit, roughly 50 km from Hyderabad, in the Pashamylaram industrial belt. Initial reports indicated a malfunction in a spray dryer reactor, where fine chemical dust combined with pressure to trigger a devastating fire and collapse.
Key developments:
- Over 108–140 workers were present; 27 were initially missing. As search teams worked through the day, at least 36–39 fatalities were confirmed, with 34 others injured, many critically.
- Rescue operations saw rapid deployment of NDRF, SDRF, HYDRAA, and robots, aided by 15+ fire engines. Search efforts involved retrieving both survivors and remains trapped under the debris.
- The plant’s infrastructure was entirely destroyed, leading to a 90-day production halt, affecting over 25% of Sigachi’s annual output. Company shares plummeted by 8%–18% within days.
In response, Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy visited the site, offering ₹1 lakh to families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to injured workers. A five-member probe panel, including the Additional DGP (Fire Services), has been tasked with investigating the tragedy, examining lapses in safety protocols, structural integrity, and emergency preparedness.
The incident has spotlighted a recurring crisis: poor industrial safety standards across India’s pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. Despite being a global pharma hub, India’s rapid industrial growth continues to outpace its worker safety mechanisms, putting thousands of lives at risk.
