A boiler explosion at VK Pharma in Bharuch district, Gujarat, killed two workers and injured 20 others early Wednesday morning.
The blast occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the Saykha GIDC area and triggered a massive fire that collapsed parts of the factory structure.
District Collector Gaurang Makwana confirmed that most workers managed to escape, but two were trapped under debris and died. Rescue teams recovered their bodies after dousing the fire. Nearly 20 workers sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Firefighters, police, and forensic teams combed the site as workers reported that one person might still be missing. Officials from the Director of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) arrived to investigate whether the factory held all required licenses and permissions.
Mahesh K. Chuna, a firefighter from Nagar Palika, Bharuch, said, “At around 2:30–3:00 a.m., I received a call about a fire. We reached VK Pharma, controlled the blaze, and recovered two bodies. It took almost four to five hours to bring the fire under control.”
Authorities launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and assess safety compliance. The incident raised concerns about industrial safety standards in Gujarat’s pharmaceutical sector.
The tragedy highlighted the risks faced by factory workers and underscored the importance of strict enforcement of safety regulations. Officials assured that they will take necessary steps to prevent similar accidents in the future.
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