18 killed and 36 injured in fire at pharma factory in Andhra Pradesh, the explosion was so strong that the slab of the first floor of the building collapsed

18 people died in a fire at a pharma factory in Anakapalle district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday (August 21). More than 36 people are injured. The cause of the fire is not known. Eyewitnesses said that a blast was heard after the fire broke out. The blast was so strong that the slab of the first floor of the building collapsed. The incident took place at the plant of pharma company Escientia in Achutapuram SEZ. The injured have been admitted to NTR Hospital for treatment. When the blast happened, it was lunch time and most of the workers were outside. The factory works in 2 shifts. More than 381 employees work in the factory. The accident happened at 2:10 pm on Wednesday. Due to lunch time, most of the workers were outside. Collector Vijayan Krishnan said that 13 people were rescued. Photos of the accident… The pharma factory has been built for 5 years. Production started in the factory in April 2019. Asientia Advanced Sciences, which manufactures intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), started it with an investment of Rs 200 crore.
Credit: Dainik Bhaskar