2 dead, 9 injured in pharma unit explosion in Telangana

Two workers were killed and nine others were injured in what police described as a reactor explosion at a pharmaceutical industrial unit in Telangana’s Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district on Friday night. The incident occurred at a pharmaceutical unit located on the outskirts of Anthammagudam village in the Pochampally mandal.

The explosion triggered massive flames and thick smoke, Pochampally police officials told The Indian Express. “The fire broke out at 10.10 pm on Friday. The fire engines were called immediately, and the fire was doused by 10.30 pm,” a Pochampally police officer said.

Of the nine workers injured, two are critical, the police said. “This is the second incident at the pharma unit which produces medical substances,” the officer said, referring to a worker’s death at the unit in July. The police have launched an investigation into both incidents, the officer added.

The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals, the police said. According to the state disaster response team, the incident triggered panic among the workers in the factory who rushed out of the building following the fire.

“There were close to 12 workers at the spot,” the Pochampally police said. Nikhila Henry is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Hyderabad. With a career spanning 17 years, she has established herself as an authoritative voice on South Indian affairs, specialising in the complex intersections of politics, education, and social justice.

Experience & Career: Nikhila commenced her journalism career in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad,where she gained recognition for her coverage of student politics. Her professional trajectory includes a four-year tenure at The Hindu, where she focused on minority affairs and social welfare.

In 2019, she took on a leadership role as the South Bureau Chief for The Quint, where she directed regional coverage across all five South Indian states. Her expansive career also includes a tenure at the BBC in New Delhi and contributions to prestigious international outlets such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India.

Expertise & Focus Areas Nikhila’s reportage is marked by a deep-seated understanding of grassroots movements and institutional policy. Her core focus areas include: Regional Politics: Comprehensive analysis of the socio-political dynamics across South India.

Education & Student Movements: Chronicling the evolution of Indian academics and the rise of youth activism. Minority Affairs: Rigorous reporting on the welfare, rights, and challenges facing marginalized communities. National Beat: Elevating regional stories to national prominence through investigative and on-ground reporting.

Authoritativeness & Trust A respected figure in Indian media, Nikhila is not only a seasoned reporter but also an accomplished author and editor. She authored the critically acclaimed book The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India and edited Caste is Not a Rumour, a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula.

Her dual background in daily news reporting and long-form authorship allows her to provide readers with a nuanced, historically-informed perspective on contemporary Indian society. Find all stories by Nikhila Henry here.

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