Solvent Leak Sparks Deadly Blaze at Andhra Pharma Unit, Claims 17 Lives

A solvent leakage at a pharma unit in Anakapalli has led to a deadly fire, claiming 17 lives. Preliminary assessments suggest solvent leakage from a pipe fell on an electric panel. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will visit the injured and the accident site to oversee the situation.

A tragic blaze triggered by a suspected solvent leak has claimed the lives of 17 individuals at a pharma unit in Anakapalli, a senior official confirmed on Thursday. District Collector Vijaya Krishnan stated that the death toll remains steady at 17 following the calamitous event on Wednesday.

Initial assessments indicate that solvent leakage from a pipe, which came into contact with an electric panel, caused the fire. Although some reports suggested a reactor blast, officials clarified that the blaze erupted when solvent oil being pumped between floors leaked, leading to a large explosion. This was further confirmed by a post from the Office of Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Konidala Pawan Kalyan.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to visit the injured workers receiving treatment in Visakhapatnam and later inspect the accident site at the pharma unit, Escientia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd. The incident has left several families in anguish, anxiously awaiting updates about their loved ones.

(With inputs from agencies.)