Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and said that he was “pained” by the loss of lives in the Atchutapuram SEZ explosion mishap in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased, as per the PMO.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap factory in Anakapalle. Condolences to those who lost their near and dear ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from PMNRF would be given the next of kin of each deceased. The injured a would be given Rs 50.000.” PMO mentioned post on X.
A major fire and explosion ripped through a pharma unit in Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district on Wednesday leaving 17 people dead and 33 injured. The damage could have been worse but due to lunchtime fewer workers were in the plant when the accident occurred. Harrowing scenes unfolded with injured workers — their skin ripped and peeling off, bodies soaked in blood — being shifted to hospital in ambulances after the incident occurred at 2:15 pm at Escientia Advanced Science Pvt Ltd.
Anakapalli district collector Vijaya Krishnan said the fire was suspected to be electricity-related.
Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, who will visit the site on Thursday, has ordered a high-level enquiry into the incident, promising stringent action against the management if its negligence was found to have caused the tragic incident.
