Four factory workers, migrants from Jharkhand, were injured in a fire that broke out early Friday at a chemical manufacturing facility in Anakapalle district of Andhra Pradesh. The fire occurred at Synergene Active Ingredients Private Limited, located within Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City, a 2,429-acre industrial park that houses chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
The blaze was reportedly triggered by the mixing of certain chemicals and liquids, which created a vapor that ignited due to static electricity. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has sought information about the incident.
This marks the second such tragic incident in the state in less than 48 hours. On Wednesday, 17 people lost their lives and 41 were injured following an explosion, likely caused by an electrical fault, at a pharmaceutical unit in the district’s Achutapuram Special Economic Zone.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Naidu met with the families of the victims and those injured in the Achutapuram SEZ explosion. He emphasized the critical need for workplace safety, particularly in ‘red category’ industries—those that handle hazardous materials and have a pollution index exceeding 60.
To address the fallout from the Achutapuram SEZ incident and prevent future occurrences, Mr. Naidu announced plans to establish a commission that will investigate “all details, omissions, and lapses.”
The Andhra Pradesh government has declared compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of the deceased and ₹50 lakh for those seriously injured. Individuals with minor injuries will receive ₹25 lakh.
Mr. Naidu also criticized the previous state government, led by YSR Congress Party leader Jagan Mohan Reddy, whom he defeated in the recent election. He noted that the former administration had experienced multiple industrial disasters, resulting in 120 deaths over the past five years, but failed to act on a commission’s recommendations.
“The previous government established a commission, but no action was taken,” he stated. “Now, I must ensure accountability and raise awareness among industries, especially those in the ‘red category,’ to adopt necessary safety measures.”
