Telangana factory blast: Many were burnt beyond recognition, only 4 identified till now; bodies sent for DNA profiling

HYDERABAD: The bodies of several workers killed in Monday’s blast at a chemical factory in Telangana’s Medak district were burnt beyond recognition.Of the 15 confirmed fatalities, only four had been identified till late Monday night, as rescue teams continued to clear debris at the Sigachi Industries facility in Pashamylaram.The explosion, suspected to have been triggered by a dryer malfunction in the plant’s quality control wing, tore through the multi-storey building at 9.20am, collapsing slabs, igniting chemicals, and throwing dozens of workers into a cauldron of fire and debris. Over 60 workers were inside the factory, about 50km from Hyderabad, when the blast occurred.

While 35 workers were injured — many with critical burns — rescuers said the true scale of the disaster will emerge only after the debris is fully cleared. The company’s vice-president (operations), M E Elanghovan, remains missing. Ironically, he was in charge of attendance — a record now lost in the ruins. “We still don’t know how many were trapped inside,” a fire official said grimly.

Rescue ops continue; charred bodies sent for DNA profiling

Rescue operations are underway with teams from the NDRF and other agencies on the ground. Officials said at least six bodies were charred beyond recognition.“A few bodies are burnt beyond recognition, and DNA profiling is underway to establish their identities,” said a Revenue Department official.

Slabs crushed, flames consumed: Nothing left to identify Chunks of cement rained down as the upper floors collapsed. Workers closest to the epicentre were either crushed or engulfed by flames. Several died instantly. Others succumbed to burns that left their bodies unrecognisable — beyond the reach of even visual identification. “Some remains are barely human,” said a disaster response official. “We’ve sent them for DNA profiling.” As ambulances shuttled between the factory and Hyderabad’s Gandhi Hospital, bodies were brought in one after another — blackened, contorted, anonymous. Outside the mortuary, families waited silently, hoping for answers, dreading the confirmations. “My nephew Ajal is just 19. He came from Kolkata two months ago,” said one man, holding back tears. “We haven't told his parents yet. They won’t be able to take it.”

No word since morning: Phones ring unanswered

For many, the hours since the blast have been a blur of unanswered calls and silent phones.

Shubham Chaudhary, searching for his uncle, said he saw three charred bodies outside the plant but couldn’t say if one of them was his. “His phone is switched off. No one knows anything.” Pinky, 21, last heard from her brother Siddhant at 9am. “He was in the quality control unit. It’s his third month here. He hasn’t called since.” Some families are mourning more than one. “My uncle Dileep, my brother Deepak and cousin Naga were all inside. Only one of them made it out alive,” said Pooja, clutching a half-torn document in her hand.

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