Tragic fire in pharmaceutical special economic zone claims 17 lives, families mourn in Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM: A grim sight is filling the minds of the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic fire at Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Limited in Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone in Anakapalle district. The massive accident that claimed 17 lives on Wednesday has left the families in deep grief as they gathered at the King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam on Thursday to receive the bodies of their loved ones.

Among the grieving families was a young woman named Neeladevi, who was four months pregnant. She lost her husband, J Chiranjeevi, in the accident. “We got married only six months ago and I am four months pregnant,” she said, her voice shaking with grief. “I am devastated by the news of my husband's death. I don't know what to do or how to face the future without him,” she lamented. Chiranjeevi (24) from Darlapudi in Anakapalle district had been working as a fitter in the unit since November 2023.

Relatives of M Satish, a senior executive hailing from Pasarlapudi Lanka in East Godavari district, expressed frustration over the lack of communication and support from the company. “We came to know about the incident through the media. We tried calling Satish but could not reach him. The company management has not given us any update on her condition. We are shocked at the irresponsible way the company has handled this tragedy,” the relatives said.

Trade unions and local politicians expressed concern and outrage over the incident, criticising the lack of accountability and safety measures in the special economic zone. “The industry finds it easier to pay compensation and voluntary severance payments than to carry out safety checks and protocols. In this case, it is even worse because neither the authorities nor the owners have expressed their condolences,” they said, stressing the need for stricter safety measures.

“Whenever an incident occurs, a goodwill clause is announced and everything else is left pending. No adequate measures have been taken to conduct safety checks inside the special economic zone or outside,” they alleged.

They highlighted the lack of medical facilities in the special economic zone. “Some of the dead were on their way to the hospital. Although it is a large special economic zone, there is no hospital there. A hospital should be built immediately within the special economic zone to provide first aid and treat the injured,” they suggested.

“It is high time that the industry took responsibility and the government enforced strict safety protocols,” they added.

Four workers from East Godavari district killed

The tragic incident at Escientia Pharma in Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone in Anakapalle district claimed the lives of four persons from erstwhile East Godavari district. The deceased are Challapalli Harika (22), a chemical engineer from Kakinada who joined as an intern in September 2023; Kopparti Ganesh Kumar (30) from Bikkavolu and Marisetti Satish (31) from G Mamidikuduru, both senior production managers; and Mondi Nagababu (56), an assistant manager from Samalkot. Ganesh, Satish and Nagababu, all married, leave behind families. Harika, unmarried, was the main breadwinner of her family