At least 17 people have died, and 34 others are nursing serious injuries after a devastating explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalli district.
According to official police reports, several victims suffered chemical burns that stripped their skin off.
According to *The Hindu*, the blast was so powerful that it scattered body parts across the site. The fire erupted at the pharmaceutical facility on Wednesday afternoon, leading to this tragic incident.
District police superintendent M. Deepika confirmed that "rescue operations are over," with a final count of "17 dead and 34 injured." She indicated that the explosion likely resulted from a "gas leak that eventually ignited an electrical panel."
Local police official M. Buchaiah, speaking to the *Indian Express*, described the harrowing scenes, stating that those affected endured horrific chemical burns. "It was horrible, heartbreaking," he said, recalling the agonizing screams of survivors as they were rushed to ambulances before losing consciousness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident on social media, stating he was "pained by the loss of lives." He also announced a compensation of $2,380 for the families of the deceased.
