Baku, April 14, AZERTAC

About six persons were killed and more than 12 injured in a major explosion and blaze at a pharmaceutical chemical manufacturing company at Akkireddygudem in Musunuru Mandal of Eluru district, according to The Times of India.

According to Nuzividu DSP, B Srinivasulu, the incident happened at around 11.40pm on Wednesday at Porus Laboratories. Hazardous gas leaked from a boiler at unit no- 4 leading to an explosion.

About 150 labourers were working in the unit at the time of the explosion. Five of them died on the spot and another breathed his last on the way to Vijayawada Government General Hospital.

Around 10 other labourers have been shifted to Vijayawada Government General Hospital with over 70 per cent burns.

CM Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh to the kin of dead, Rs 5 lakh each for the critically injured and 2 lakh each with minor injuries.

The officials have been instructed to monitor the health of the injured and the SP and district collector have been directed to conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the incident.