TIRUPATI: Seven persons were injured in a reactor blast in Malladi Drugs at Gajulamandyam industrial estate on Wednesday. A major fire broke out in the unit following the blast. The injured included Rajasekhar (32), Surendra (26), Kishna Murthy (24) and Peeraiah. Four of them suffered critical burns. The drug unit was located in a multi-storeyed complex.
According to information, the reactor blast occurred at around 4:20 pm. The workers and contract labourers who were nearby suffered burns. The flames spread to the entire drug unit within no time. The injured were rushed to Narayanadri Hospital. The workers who suffered critical burns, were shifted to Chennai. Four fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the flames under control.
Collector P S Pradyumna visited the drug unit in the evening. After conducting an inquiry into the blast, action would be taken against the management of drug unit if there was any laxity in implementation of safety measures, the Collector said.