Sigachi plant explosion: VP among 37 dead, 25 hospitalised, rescue on

Emergency services personnel at the site after an explosion in Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd. in the Pashamylaram industrial area in Sangareddy district on Monday on June 30, 2025, 12 dead, 13 workers rescued as reactor blast rips through pharmaceutical unit. Photo:
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL/THE HINDU

The death toll in the blast at Sigachi Industries Plant in Pashmylaram near here has gone up to 37, even as 25 are under treatment in different private hospitals. 

According to Sangareddy district officials, 37 workers, including a vice-president of the drug-maker, have lost their lives so far, even as 35 workers are under treatment in various private hospitals while 57 workers reached homes safely. 

“The death toll could go up further as some workers are feared trapped under the debris. Rescue operations are in full-swing,” an official told Business Line on Tuesday. 

A chemical reactor in the plant blasted around 9 am on Monday, leading to the collapse of a three-story building and a major fire in the plant. There were about 150 workers in the factory at the time of the accident. 

Emergency services personnel at the site after an explosion in Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd. in the Pashamylaram industrial area in Sangareddy district on Monday on June 30, 2025.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Many of the deceased were burnt alive, and DNA tests are likely to be conducted to identify the victims. A vice-president of the company, Ilangovan, was among the dead, according to police, though the company is yet to announce the casualties officially.  

Personnel from the NDRF, state police, fire departments, and Singareni Collieries are currently engaged in rescue operations. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is expected to visit the site of the mishap and the hospitals where the victims are being treated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his shock and condolences.

The state government has also formed a panel headed by the Chief Secretary to examine the safety aspects of industries and prevent the recurrence of similar mishaps.

According to a disclosure to the BSE on Monday regarding the mishap at Sigachi, the company operates three manufacturing facilities for Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC), one of which is the Hyderabad unit where the incident occurred.

The unit contributes approximately 6,000 MTPA out of its total operating capacity of 21,700 MTPA, with the balance of production coming from our other two facilities located in Gujarat. The other two plants continue to operate normally, and efforts are being made to optimise production from those units during the interim period. 

According to the company, the Hyderabad facility is “fully insured”, and it was in the process of initiating the necessary claims.

Published on July 1, 2025