Bulk Chemical Plant Explosion and Fire Kills 2, Injures 4

Two workers were killed, and four others were injured in an explosion and fire Thursday at the Tyche Industries Ltd bulk chemical plant near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India, local news organizations reported.

The blast happened at about 3 p.m. Accounts varied on the circumstances that led up to the explosion. Police said in coverage by The Hindustan Times that a valve was being tightened on a nitric acid pipeline connected to a boiler when two boilers exploded. Another official told OneIndia that the blast was caused by excessive heat created when two chemicals were mixed in a reactor.

Two supervisors that were close to a reactor were killed and four other injured workers were taken to an area hospital for treatment, The Times of India said. Local officials said that a recent inspection of the facility did not reveal hazardous material.

Agriculture Minister Kurasala Kannababu visited the Tyche plant in the wake of the explosion and fire and pledged to offer financial assistance to the victims of the incident, according to The Hans India.

Tyche Industries produces pharmaceutical products, including APIs and bulk drug intermediates, and nutraceuticals like Potassium Chloride and Glucosamine Hydrochloride, a profile of the company published by Reuters states.