Telangana Chemical Factory Blast: Death Toll Rises To 35 (image screenshot: x.com/IndiaStrikes_)

Sangareddy, Telangana: The death toll at the Telangana chemical factory in Sangareddy district has risen to 35. Hospital authorities apprehend that the death toll might further increase, as more bodies are still expected.

“As of this morning, we have received 35 bodies in total. More are likely to arrive, ”Dr. Srinivas Reddy, Superintendent of Area Hospital, Patancheru told The Hindu.

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Hospital staff started collecting DNA samples late Monday night. Dr. Reddy said that DNA tests were conducted on around 20 bodies overnight while they also collected and stored new samples.

A special forensic team from Osmania General Hospital was brought in to assist with the post-mortems and DNA sample collection. So far, autopsies have been completed on 15 bodies, and four victims have been identified. The remaining bodies are undergoing DNA profiling.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is expected to visit the blast site on Tuesday morning.

A massive reactor explosion struck Sigachi Industries Limited’s pharmaceutical factory in the Pashamylaram industrial area on Monday, June 30. Following the explosion, rescue and firefighting operations were carried out at the plant, and the reason behind the blast is yet to be found out.

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According to media reports, the blasts were so powerful that some workers were thrown nearly 100 meters away, and many workers are also feared to have been trapped due to the explosion. The incident occurred between duty hours, and Indian Express reports that a total of 61 people were in the building when the blast took place.

The state government formed a high-level committee to investigate the disaster and its root causes.