The aftermath of the tragic explosion at the Sigachi chemical factory in Telangana has deepened with reports confirming that five Odia workers are still missing.
Odisha’s Directorate of Labour OSD, Pritish Panda, officially stated the missing status as of Wednesday, even as search and rescue teams continue to comb through the rubble.
The devastating blast, which took place between 8:15 and 9:35 AM on Monday, has so far claimed 40 lives, including four workers from Odisha. Four more Odia labourers are currently undergoing treatment for serious injuries.
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Search operations remain active at the accident site, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local fire departments involved. Advanced rescue technology, including robotic devices, has been deployed to navigate through debris and identify trapped individuals. However, the identification of 32 deceased victims remains incomplete, adding distress for many awaiting families.
The Odisha government has dispatched a two-member team to Telangana to monitor developments and ensure that affected families receive timely support and accurate updates. The incident has raised serious concerns over the safety protocols in industrial facilities employing migrant labourers.
As grief and anxiety grip Odisha, especially the districts from where the victims hailed, calls for stricter enforcement of labour safety standards in high-risk industries are growing louder.