Anakapalle: Two dead, seven injured in pharma unit blast

The blast occurred in the Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone in Anakapalle district on Friday

Visakhapatnam: Two persons were dead and seven injured, four of them seriously, in a blast at a pharma unit in Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone in the neighbouring Anakapalle district on Friday.

The toll is likely to go with some of the injured sustaining severe burns.

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According to reports, the blast occured at the recovery unit resulting in huge flames at Sahiti Pharma which saw the workers running helter skelter in panic. The dead were identified as Paila Sattibabu of Janaganapalem of Rambilli mandal in Anakapalle district and Uppada Tirupati of Vizianagaram district.

Describing the accident as unfortunate, Industries Minister Gudivada Amarnath said that Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy expressed shock at the incident and wanted him to announce an ex-gratia of Rs.25 lakh to the family of the deceased. A probe was also ordered into the incident, he revealed.

Anakapalle district Superintendent of Police Muralikrishna said that there were 35 persons on duty when the accident occurred and 28 of them came out immediately while the seven others were seriously injured.