A devastating explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Telangana, India, has left at least 36 people dead and dozens more injured. The blast, which occurred on June 30, 2025, reduced the facility to rubble, leaving victims so severely burned that authorities have ordered DNA testing to identify the remains.
The incident took place at a Sigachi Industries plant, located about 50 kilometers from Hyderabad. Fire Chief G.V. Narayana Rao reported that 34 bodies were recovered from the wreckage, with two more workers succumbing to their injuries in the hospital. “The entire structure collapsed,” Rao said. “We’re still clearing debris to ensure no one else is trapped.”
The explosion originated in the factory’s spray dryer unit, a critical component in pharmaceutical manufacturing. At the time of the blast, 108 employees were on-site. Witnesses described hearing the explosion from kilometers away, with rescue teams working tirelessly to search for survivors.
Telangana Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha confirmed that DNA testing was necessary due to the severe condition of the victims. A state-appointed panel has been formed to investigate the cause of the disaster. Sigachi Industries, which produces pharmaceutical ingredients, announced a 90-day shutdown of the facility, acknowledging significant structural damage. The company’s stock plummeted following the incident.
This tragedy comes just weeks after another catastrophe—an Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad that claimed hundreds of lives. As authorities work to determine the cause of both incidents, grieving families await answers.
