Death Toll Rises Rapidly Following Explosion at Chemical Plant in India

The death toll from the explosion and fire at the newly opened "Sigachi Industries" chemical plant in southern India has reached at least 42, according to reports from Mint. The number of casualties is expected to rise as firefighters and rescuers continue to recover bodies from the rubble.

The government of Telangana, where the facility is located, has formed a five-member committee to investigate the incident, although the company has not yet disclosed the cause of the explosion. Police officials reported that more than 140 people were working at the plant at the time of the incident. The identities of 25 of the deceased have not yet been confirmed.

"Sigachi" produces microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and serves customers in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, and specialty chemicals sectors from the United States to Australia.