Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Aug 22: Two workers were killed and nine others injured after a reactor blast triggered a fire at a pharmaceutical company in Pochampally mandal of Telangana's Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district late on Friday night, police said.

The incident occurred when workers were changing shifts at the pharma unit. The reactor blast triggered a fire, following which emergency personnel and firefighters rushed to the spot. The fire was subsequently brought under control by the Fire Department.

According to police, two workers died in the incident, while nine others sustained injuries. Two of the injured suffered burns over more than 50 per cent of their bodies, while the remaining seven sustained minor injuries.

The injured workers were shifted to different hospitals for treatment. Details regarding their identities and the condition of those with severe burns were not immediately available.

The blast occurred at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the Pochampally area. Local reports identified the facility as Hazelo Lab Pvt Ltd in Dotigudem village of Pochampally mandal, though the police and reports available so far have referred to it generally as a pharma company.

The incident comes weeks after another serious accident was reported at the same facility, according to local reports.

Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the reactor blast and determine whether any safety lapses were involved.

The latest accident has once again raised concerns over industrial safety at pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing units in Telangana, where reactor-related incidents have previously resulted in fatalities and injuries.

Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances leading to the explosion, including the operation of the reactor and safety procedures in place at the time of the incident.