Andhra factory explosion: CM Naidu visits hospital, meets injured people

Anakapalle (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 22 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday met the people who got injured in a reactor blast in a pharma company in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Atchutapuram in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalli.

As many as 17 people were killed and several others sustained burn injuries after the reactor blast on Wednesday. The Chief Minister has also ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.
After his visit, the Andhra CM said, "I visited the victims of the Achyutapuram Pharma Company accident at Visakha Hospital. I gave courage to them and their family members. I have assured that the affected families will be taken care of. I pray to God that those who are undergoing treatment will return to full health. To the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident, Rs. 1 crore each, families of grievously injured Rs. 50 lakhs and for minor injuries Rs. 25 lakhs each. We will stand by the affected families in the future. We will take all necessary measures to prevent accidents."
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, as per the PMO.
"Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at a 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 to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," PMO mentioned in a post on X.
Expressing grief over the incident, President Droupadi Murmu wrote on X, "Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in an explosion at a pharma company in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar offered condolences on the loss of lives and wrote on X, "Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to mishap at a factory in Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."
Notably, the incident happened after a 500-kilo-litre capacitor reactor exploded at a pharma company with around 200 workers still working at the time. (ANI)