Explosion and fire kill at least 15 and injure dozens at India pharmaceutical plant

A large explosion set off by a fire at a Southern Indian pharmaceutical plant has killed at least 15 workers and injured dozens more, police said.

Alongside those killed, another 40 were wounded and hospitalised in the blast and fire in the plant's chemical reactor. Some of those injured are in a critical condition.

Officers suspect the cause of the blast was related to electricity at the plant. Authorities have launched an investigation.

The explosion occurred at the Escientia Company in Anakapalle district. The plant is about 220 miles northeast of Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The five-year-old company manufactures intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

As the news of the blast spread, hundreds of workers' family members and relatives rushed to the plant to learn what happened to their loved ones.

Around 380 employees work two shifts at the plant. Many workers escaped because they were on lunch break when the explosion started the fire.

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