Tirupati: At least four workers were killed and around 10 others injured after a boiler exploded at a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Sri City, in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district, on Saturday morning.
The explosion reportedly occurred at the TIL Healthcare facility while workers were on duty. The powerful blast caused part of the factory building to collapse, trapping some workers beneath the debris. Firefighters, police personnel and rescue teams rushed to the site and launched relief and rescue operations.
The resulting fire was brought under control, while injured workers were evacuated and shifted to nearby hospitals. Some critically injured workers were reportedly moved to hospitals in Chennai for further treatment.
According to reports, two workers died at the site, while two others later succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Officials have indicated that another seriously injured worker remains under medical care.
The blast occurred during a shift change, when several night-shift workers were preparing to leave the facility. The force of the explosion also reportedly damaged surrounding structures within the industrial area.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the deaths and directed officials to provide necessary assistance to the families of the deceased and ensure proper treatment for those injured.
The exact cause of the boiler explosion has not yet been established. Authorities are expected to investigate whether the incident was linked to a technical failure, a safety-system issue, an operational lapse or another factor.
Sri City, located along National Highway 16, is a major multi-product industrial and Special Economic Zone in Andhra Pradesh, hosting more than 250 companies, including pharmaceutical manufacturing units.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over industrial safety as authorities continue rescue operations and investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal explosion.
