HYDERABAD: One worker was killed and three others sustained minor injuries in an explosion in an illegal chemical factory at Hayathnagar during the early hours of Tuesday. According to police, the blast occurred in Sai Priya chemical company in Bacharam at around 3:30 am on Tuesday. Due to the impact of the blast, a shard of metal from the reactor flew in the air and hit one of the labourers.
Vanasthalipuram Assistant Commissioner of Police B Bhaskar Goud said the company was raided by the Cyberabad police about two years ago while it was being run at Gandi Cheruvu. He added that about 10 months ago the management started operations at Abdullapurmet in Hayathanagar.
“The incident occurred during the early hours. Shivchand Bheem (30) from Bihar, who was working about 100 meters away from the spot of the explosion was hit by a metal piece of reactor that flew in the air. He died instantly due to the head injury,” Goud added.
The ACP said that three other workers, Bharath Thakur, Anjaneyulu and Nagaraju suffered minor injuries. “The blast occurred at 3:30 am, but they did not inform police till 8.30 am. In the meantime, they shifted the chemicals to other places and admitted Nagaraju to another hospital. We will take stern action against the management for trying to erase the evidence,” said Goud.
Recovered traces of chemical have been sent to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory and the inspector of Factories and Pollution Control Board have also been informed about the incident and asked to provide necessary information for the probe. Proposals are also being sent to the local Revenue Divisional Officer for seizure of the company, he added.
Eyewitnesses said the management shifted the injured and sacks of chemicals in auto trolleys before informing the police or any other agencies.
Locals alleged that the factory was manufacturing highly reactive chemicals. While the management shifted the injured persons to a local hospital, the body of the deceased was left in the factory premises. The management hurried out of the factory before anyone could reach there.