Published Aug 05, 2026 | 3:00 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 05, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Suspected chemical leak at pharmaceutical manufacturing unit. (Supplied)
Synopsis: According to police, the workers collapsed after inhaling toxic fumes while carrying out work inside the unit. Factory staff immediately alerted emergency services, and the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital. Three workers were declared dead, while two others remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment.
Three workers were killed and two others were critically affected after a suspected chemical leak at a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Karnataka’s Yadgir district on Wednesday, 5 August morning. The incident occurred at a factory in the Kadechur–Badiyal Industrial Area under the Saidapur police limits.
According to police, the workers collapsed after inhaling toxic fumes while carrying out work inside the unit. Factory staff immediately alerted emergency services, and the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital. Three workers were declared dead, while two others remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment.
Authorities suspect the accident was caused by a chemical or toxic gas leak, although the exact substance has not yet been officially identified. Technical experts are examining the site to determine what triggered the leak and whether there was any equipment failure or violation of safety protocols.
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Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and district administration officials rushed to the factory soon after the incident. The affected section of the plant was secured, and rescue operations were carried out to ensure no other workers were trapped or exposed to hazardous fumes.
A case has been registered, and investigations are underway. Officials from the Labour Department and the Factories and Boilers Department are expected to inspect the unit and assess whether mandatory industrial safety measures, including ventilation systems, gas monitoring and protective equipment, were in place.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been officially released. Authorities are informing their families before making the names public. The pharmaceutical company has also not issued a detailed statement on the incident.
The injured, Manchala Hemanth and Manchala Shivakumar, residents of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh, are undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Yadgiri Superintendent of Police Prithvik Shankar said a chemical, suspected to be sulphur dioxide, leaked during the early morning hours, resulting in the deaths of three workers.
Speaking to ANI, SP Shankar said, “In the early morning hours, a chemical, likely to be Sulphur dioxide, leaked, leading to the death of three workers. Two workers are admitted to Raichur Medical Hospital. We have registered a case against the management of the company. Teams of SDRF and Forensics are present at the site. A team of NDRF is also on its way to the accident site. We will see what safety guidelines were violated and take action.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Keerthivas)
