Search operations continued at the Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical unit in Pashamylaram, Telangana, where an explosion on 30 June claimed at least 38 lives. Nine people remain unaccounted for, and forensic teams are examining recovered human remains for identification, authorities said on Thursday.
District Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj confirmed that 90 per cent of the debris at the site had been cleared, with little expectation of locating intact bodies. However, partial remains may yet surface during the clean-up, he added.
“Death toll remains at 38. Nine people are missing. But maybe today or tomorrow, once we get the reports of bones and other things from FSL (Forensic Science Lab), then things will be clear,” the SP said.
In parallel, an expert committee appointed by the state government is set to visit the blast site on Thursday. The panel, led by Dr B Venkateswar Rao, Emeritus Scientist at the CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, has been tasked with identifying the cause and sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
The committee is expected to submit its report, complete with recommendations and remedial measures, within a month.
While some of the injured remain under treatment in various hospitals, district officials said several of them are likely to be discharged later in the day.
The blast, one of the most deadly industrial disasters in recent memory in the state, has drawn attention to safety standards in the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
Also read: Telangana plant explosion probe hit as key officials die in blast
In response to public criticism and worker allegations, Sigachi Industries Managing Director and CEO Amit Raj Sinha on Wednesday refuted claims that the company had employed outdated equipment at the facility.
He also announced a compensation of ₹1 crore each to the families of the deceased.
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