13 killed in pharma company fire accident in Andhra Pradesh
Atchutapuram (Andhra Pradesh), Aug 21: The death toll in the fire accident at a pharmaceutical unit here on Wednesday rose to 13, officials said.
Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan said the fire broke out at 2:15 pm at Escientia Advanced Sciences Pvt Ltd at Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district.
“The factory operates with 381 employees in two shifts. The blast occurred during lunch time. Therefore, staff presence was less, Krishnan told PTI, adding that the explosion is suspected to be electricity-related.
As many as 33 injured people were shifted to different hospitals in Anakapalli and Atchutapuram while the Fire Department is engaged in rescue operations, deploying six fire tenders.
Further, the collector said 13 people trapped in the unit were rescued.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the loss of lives.
The CM assured that the government will stand by the families of the workers who died, said an official press release.
Escientia Advanced Sciences, which manufactures intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) commenced production in April 2019 with an investment of Rs 200 crore.
It is located in a 40-acre campus in the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation's (APIIC) multi-product special economic zone (SEZ) at Atchutapuram cluster.
Reactor explosion at Escientia Chemical Factory in Rambilli, #Anakapalle district. Flames engulf the factory, injuring around 50 workers. Injured are being transferred to a nearby hospital@NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/MnqTjyBiNe
— TNIE Andhra Pradesh (@xpressandhra) August 21, 2024
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Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov meets PM Modi; exchanges views on Ukraine, West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia.
During the meeting, the prime minister reiterated India's consistent stand in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the best way forward.
In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office said Lavrov briefed Modi on the progress achieved in bilateral cooperation since his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2025 at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
"Foreign Minister Lavrov and the Prime Minister exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine and West Asia," the statement said.
Modi requested Lavrov to convey his warm greetings to Putin, it said.
Lavrov is here to attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting.
