Explosion at Dakshin Energy unit in Visakhapatnam’s Pharma City kills two; more feared trapped

At least two workers were reportedly killed in an explosion at a unit of Dakshin Energy in Parawada Industrial Park Phase-III, within the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) near Visakhapatnam on Tuesday (June 23, 2026). It is feared that a few more may still be trapped inside. The blast reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

The explosion triggered a major fire, sending thick plumes of smoke and flames into the sky and causing panic in the industrial area. The fire continued to rage, and emergency teams rushed to the spot to bring it under control.

Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan closely monitored the situation and directed the officials concerned to take all necessary measures to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby industrial units. Emergency response teams and fire personnel were pressed into service to carry out rescue and firefighting operations. The operations are still on.

Anakapalli Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha, who rushed to the spot, reviewed the situation and instructed police officials to take necessary action and help in the ongoing rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader G. Satyanarayana expressed concern over the recurring industrial accidents in Pharma City. He alleged that despite repeated assurances from the government about industrial safety standards, accidents continue to occur in pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing units, raising serious questions about workplace safety and enforcement. He also said the death toll may go up.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday expressed grief over the fire accident.

The Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and sought details of the incident from district officials. According to officials, two fire tenders from the Pharma City Fire Station and another from Parawada were rushed to the spot soon after the accident and succeeded in bringing the blaze under control.

Mr. Naidu directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those injured in the incident. He also instructed the district administration to extend all necessary support to the affected families.

The Chief Minister reviewed the circumstances leading to the accident and called for prompt help and relief measures for the victims.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan sought details of the accident from the District Collector. His office said two workers died and two others were seriously hurt in the fire, which broke out around 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Mr. Pawan Kalyan asked whether the fire had been brought under control and called for a review of the steps taken to prevent industrial accidents. He said an immediate safety audit should be carried out at all units in the industrial areas around Visakhapatnam, and told officials to give the injured better medical care. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the dead and said the government would stand by the affected families.

Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said she was deeply shocked. She spoke by phone to the Anakapalli District Collector and the Superintendent of Police to get details of the fire and the rescue work, and directed officials to speed up relief and give all help to those affected. She said the State Government would stand by the victims’ families and bring in stricter safety in industrial units across the State

Labour Minister Vasamsetti Subhash, in a release, said the government stood firmly by the victims and their families. He directed the officials concerned to give the injured the best medical care and to speed up rescue and relief at the site. He ordered a full inquiry into the cause and said strict action would follow against anyone found negligent. There would be no compromise on industrial safety, he added..

The exact cause of the explosion is not yet known. Authorities have begun an investigation into the incident.