The Telangana pharma factory blast has shaken the state to its core. The tragic explosion at a pharmaceutical unit in Sangareddy district has now taken 35 lives, making it one of the worst industrial accidents in the region in years.
Charred bodies started arriving at Patancheru Area Hospital late Monday evening and continued through the night. The scene was chaotic. Rainfall made rescue efforts even harder. By Tuesday morning, 35 bodies had been received. But that number could still rise.
Dr. Srinivas Reddy, the hospital superintendent, said,
“As of now, we have received 35 bodies. More might come.”
The bodies were badly burnt. Most could not be identified by face. That’s why DNA testing started immediately. Around 20 DNA samples were collected overnight. A special forensic team from Osmania General Hospital was brought in to help with post-mortems and DNA work.
Only 4 victims have been identified so far. The rest are undergoing DNA profiling. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) will match samples from family members to identify the victims.
“We are storing samples and working nonstop. This will take time,” Dr. Reddy added.
Doctors, hospital staff, and forensic experts are working round the clock. It’s a massive task, both emotionally and physically.
Senior officials from the Telangana Health Department, including Dr. A. Narendra Kumar (Director of Medical Education) and Dr. Ajaya Kumar (TVVP Commissioner), stayed at the hospital overnight. They are personally monitoring the situation and offering support to families.
This tragedy highlights a bigger issue—industrial safety in India’s booming pharma sector. Telangana, known as the ‘Pharma Capital of India,’ is home to hundreds of such units. But how many of them follow strict safety rules?
This is not just a local issue. It’s a wake-up call for the entire nation. We need answers. We need accountability. And above all, we need action—fast.
