Andhra Pradesh: 16 dead, many injured in blast in pharma factory

Anakapalli (Team Newsbuddy): A part of the building collapsed due to an explosion in the reactor at Essentia Advanced Science Private Limited in the SEZ area in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan has said in his condolence message that the death toll in this blast has gone up to 16.

Earlier, Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan had confirmed the death of 15 people in a conversation with BBC Telugu.

A large number of people have also been injured in this accident. Given the size of the accident, the death toll is also expected to increase.

This case is of a pharma company in Achutapuram Special Economic Zone (SEZ). A huge explosion took place during lunch time and thick smoke spread all around.

Many workers are buried under the debris. More than 300 people were present in the factory at the time of the accident.

The injured have been admitted to nearby private hospitals for treatment. It is being told that this explosion took place in the reactor, due to which one floor of the building collapsed. Therefore, the death toll may increase.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu spoke to the collector of Anakapalli district over the phone. The CM also directed to provide better treatment to the injured.

Chandrababu Naidu has said that if needed, air ambulances can also be used to evacuate the injured. The CM has ordered the state health secretary to go to Achutapuram. The CM himself will also reach the accident site today on Thursday.