17 people died in a pharma company accident, PM expressed grief

Andhra Pradesh: 17 people died and 33 others were injured in a fire incident at a pharma company factory in Achutapuram, Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. PM Modi has expressed grief over this accident and announced compensation for the people affected by it. The families of those who lost their lives in this accident will be given financial assistance of two lakh rupees. At the same time, the injured will be given 50 thousand rupees.

According to Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan, the accident in a pharma company in Achutapuram took place at around 2:15 pm in the plant of Essentia Advanced Sciences Private Limited. Krishnan said, "381 employees work in two shifts in the factory. The explosion took place during the lunch break in the afternoon. Therefore, the attendance of employees was less."

PM Modi wrote on the social media platform X, "I am saddened by the death of people in the accident at a factory in Anakapalle. I express my condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the next of kin of each deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. The injured will be given Rs 50,000."

How did the accident happen?

The district official said it is suspected that the blast was caused by an electrical short circuit. He said 33 injured people have been admitted to various hospitals in Anakapalli and Achutapuram while the fire department is engaged in rescue operations with the help of six fire engines. The district collector said 13 people trapped in the factory have been rescued. Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed grief over the loss of lives. An official press release said the chief minister assured that the government will stand with the families of the deceased workers.