Fourteen workers were injured as a reactor exploded at the Nagarjuna Agrichem factory at Chilakapalem in Etcherla mandal of Srikakulam district on Saturday morning, triggering panic in the area.
According to a press release issued by the company, “there are no casualties in the unfortunate accident which occurred in the plant at around 9.30 a.m. It is now under control. Fourteen employees were injured in the incident. At the time, 20 were on duty. Two of the injured workers have been sent to Visakhapatnam as a measure of precaution.”According to sources, there was an explosion resulting in a huge fire in block No. 5 of the unit, when many of the workers were outside as it was a tea-break.
The fire department personnel battled for hours with two engines, but could not extinguish the fire. Later, more fire tenders were requisitioned from Visakhapatnam and other places, and by late evening, the fire could be brought under control.
Tension gripped the area as news of the fire spread through the TV channels and many in the neighbouring villages moved to safer places. The authorities also evacuated some people in the morning and asked people within a radius of 10 km to be on the alert.
Mr G. Venkata Rami Reddy, District Collector, said there was no need for panic and the measures were taken as a precaution. He said the cause of the accident was yet to be determined.
The unit produces pesticide technical formulations and the products are sold in over 20 States.
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