Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Reactor Blast at Yadadri Pharma Unit Kills Two Workers
A reactor at a medicine factory in Yadadri exploded late on Friday night.
The explosion started a fire and produced thick smoke.
Two workers died after being taken for medical treatment.
Reports disagree about the workers’ names and whether six or about 10 people were injured.
Two injured workers were said to be in critical condition.
Police and firefighters arrived and helped control the fire.
Officials are investigating whether high pressure, a technical problem, unsafe practices or a processing error caused the blast.
Local residents want the factory and other chemical units to follow stronger safety rules.
A reactor exploded around 11 p.m. Friday at a pharmaceutical unit in Dothigudem, Bhoodan Pochampally mandal.
Two workers died, but reports gave conflicting names: Nagireddy and Naresh, or Rajashekar and Nagaraju.
Reports differed on the number injured, citing around 10 people or six; two injured workers were reportedly critical.
The blast caused a fire and thick smoke, prompting police and fire personnel to bring the flames under control.
Residents called for inspections and stricter safety enforcement after a previous reactor gas-related death at the same unit.
- Who
- Workers at the pharmaceutical unit were affected; two died and several others were injured. Reports gave conflicting names for the deceased.
- What
- A reactor exploded during a chemical process, causing a fire, two deaths and multiple injuries.
- When
- Around 11 p.m. Friday night; a previous employee death at the same unit was reported on July 16.
- Where
- A pharmaceutical unit identified as Hazel Labs or Hazelo Pharma in Dothigudem, Bhoodan Pochampally mandal, Yadadri Bhongir district; some injured workers were taken to hospitals, including a private hospital in Hyderabad.
- Why
- The exact cause has not been established. Preliminary information suggested excessive pressure inside the reactor, while authorities were investigating possible technical failure, safety lapses or processing errors.
Residents’ Safety Concerns
Authorities’ Cause Investigation
Responsibility for the accident
Residents’ Safety Concerns
Local residents alleged repeated safety failures and said officials had not taken strict action or ensured proper safety protocols.
Authorities’ Cause Investigation
Authorities launched an investigation into whether technical failure, safety lapses or errors during chemical processing caused the explosion.
Possible cause
Residents’ Safety Concerns
Residents focused on alleged inadequate safety measures and called for action against those responsible for safety lapses.
Authorities’ Cause Investigation
Preliminary information suggested excessive pressure may have built up inside the reactor, but the exact cause remained unestablished.
Requested response
Residents’ Safety Concerns
Residents urged thorough inspections and strict enforcement of safety standards at pharmaceutical and chemical units.
Authorities’ Cause Investigation
Police and fire personnel responded to control the blaze while authorities investigated the cause and responsibility.
- Deaths
- 2 workers
- Reported deceased names
- Nagireddy and Naresh in one report; Rajashekar and Nagaraju in another
- Injuries
- Reports cited around 10 or six injured people
- Critical condition
- Two injured workers were reportedly critical
- Time
- Around 11 p.m. Friday night
- Location
- Dothigudem, Bhoodan Pochampally mandal, Yadadri Bhongir district
- Previous incident
- Employee Krishna Reddy reportedly died on July 16 after poisonous gas was released from a reactor at the same industry
