Published Jul 01, 2023 | 12:20 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 01, 2023 | 12:20 PM
Firefighters battling a fire. Representational image. (iStock)
Two persons died, and five others suffered burn injuries, with two of them sustaining severe injuries, following a blast on Friday, 30 June, at Sahithi Pharma company, located in Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district, of Andhra Pradesh, police said.
Relatives of two persons who died in the explosion are demanding compensation from the employer.
“Around 30 relatives of the deceased persons are at the company now. They are demanding compensation from the company,” a police official said on Saturday, 1 July.
The company officials are in touch with family members of the injured persons to provide support for their treatment, he added.
Further, he said the company has insured its employees, and there are hopes of receiving some compensation through insurance as well.
Two persons who had sustained 90 percent chemical burns in the blast succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at KGH Hospital in Visakhapatnam.
A statement from the state government said that 35 people were working the morning shift at the plant when the explosion occurred, and most of them escaped unhurt.
The two deceased persons have been identified as the plant’s workers, Uppada Tirupathi and Paila Sattibabu, who were on the morning shift when the explosion took place.
Sattibabu, who hailed from Jangalapalem in Rambilli mandal of Anakapalli district, succumbed to 95 percent burn injuries, and Uppada Tirupati of Vizianagaram district died with 55 percent burn injuries, which damaged his internal organs, including the lungs, the hospital said.
Four others are also being treated at KGH Hospital, including two for severe burns, police said, while one other person is admitted to Star Zen Hospital in Atchutapuram itself.
Three firemen also received minor injuries while fighting the fire.
Industries Minister Gudivada Amarnath said that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed him to declare an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh each for the kin of the two deceased persons in the blast.
He also said the state government would provide the necessary treatment to the remaining five victims, including shifting them to other hospitals if suggested by doctors.
According to the preliminary report, the blast took place while loading solvents into the solvent recovery plant of the pharma company in the Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone (SEZ) around 11.45 am, police said.
Anakapalli District Superintendent of Police KV Murali Krishna told PTI on Friday that the injured suffered chemical burns.
“Probably some reaction led to the blast and the fire has spread. It is a solvent recovery plant. While loading the solvents, some reactions may have happened. This is the preliminary report,” said Krishna.
Meanwhile, the inspector of factories is preparing a report on how the accident occurred, said Krishna.
Following the accident, police rushed to the blast spot to douse the flames and control the crowds gathered there so that they did not approach the accident site.
As many as 10 fire tenders were sent to the accident site to put out the fire, which is now believed to be under control, the government statement added.
The inspector of factories has ruled out any possible leak of toxic gases.
Immediately after the incident, police arranged for ambulances to shift the injured and made arrangements at NTR Government Hospital in Anakapalli town to treat them, police said.
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