Factory explosion in India kills 17, leaves 34 injured with severe chemical burns

A massive explosion at an Indian pharmaceutical factory has killed at least 17 people, and injured 34 others, many with serious chemical burns.

The blast occurred on Wednesday afternoon at a pharmaceutical unit in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh.

District police chief M. Deepika confirmed that “rescue operations are complete” and everyone has been accounted for, with the final toll of “17 dead and 34 injured”. Deepika said investigators believe the blast was caused by a “gas leak… which eventually hit an electrical panel”.

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Local police official M. Buchaiah described the incident as “horrific” and “heartbreaking”, with those caught in the blast suffering serious chemical burns.

“They screamed before losing consciousness,” Buchaiah told the Indian Express daily, describing the pain and distress the victims endured as they were taken to the ambulance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on social media, saying he was “anguished by the loss of lives” and announcing compensation of $2,380 to the families of the victims. The Hindu newspaper reported that the force of the blast was so powerful that it left body parts strewn around the site.

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