Hyderabad: Sigachi blast: Confusion over missing workers

Even after 48 hours of Sigachi blast, the family members are facing problems

Sangareddy:Even 48 hours after the blast, family members of missing employees are in trouble due to sluggish and poorly coordinated rescue operations at Sigachi Chloro Chemicals Private Limited. Heavy rains and apathy of officials made the rescue operation even more difficult. Grieving relatives kept shuttling between the blast site, the mortuary at the Government Hospital in Pathancheruvu and various private hospitals where the injured werebeingtreated. Lack of clarity about the number of employees present at the unit on the day of the blast further added to the confusion.

162 employees were listed on duty

In a new attendance sheet maintained by the Sigachi management, which came out on Wednesday, 162 employees were listed on duty. However, the district administration report put the figure at 143. District administration officials were conspicuously absent from the ongoing rescue efforts, which were being carried out only by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Fire Services (HYDRAA), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Sigachi announces ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore

Hyderabad: Sigachi Industries Ltd on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore to the families of those killed in the accident at its Pasumillaram plant. The company said in a statement that 40 employees were killed and 33 others injured in the accident. The management said it is actively coordinating the emergency response, providing assistance to the families, and cooperating with the ongoing investigation and regulatory compliance processes.

Full medical care and rehabilitation support provided to injured in Sigachi blast

It assured that the families of the deceased will receive Rs 1 crore as ex-gratia, while the injured will be provided full medical care and rehabilitation support. The company also issued a clarification about the cause of the blast. "While awaiting the results of the investigation, we would like to clarify that the accident was not caused by a reactor explosion at the plant, as reported in some sections of the media," the company said. The company said operations at the Pasummilaram plant will remain suspended for about 90 days.

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