Two workers killed in factory fire
At least two workers were killed after a major fire broke out at a chemical manufacturing unit in Paravada Pharma City near Visakhapatnam early on Tuesday, Jun 23, 2026. The accident took place at Dakshin Energy Chemical Factory in Anakapalle district, triggering panic in the industrial area as flames spread through the premises.
The deceased workers have been identified as Trinadh and Venkatesh, both reportedly from Achyutapuram. Preliminary information suggests that four workers were on duty when the fire started. Two of them were burnt alive, while rescue teams continued searching for two others who were feared trapped inside the facility.
Gas leak suspected as trigger
Officials suspect that a gas leak may have caused the fire, though the exact reason has not yet been confirmed. The blaze reportedly spread quickly due to the presence of chemicals and industrial materials inside the unit. Fire and police officials reached the spot soon after receiving information and began efforts to bring the situation under control.
Authorities said a clear picture on the number of casualties and injuries would emerge only after the fire is fully doused and the entire factory area is searched. The incident has once again raised serious concerns over safety standards in chemical and pharmaceutical units operating in industrial zones around Visakhapatnam and Anakapalle.
Rescue operations continue
Firefighters, police teams, district officials and emergency personnel rushed to the factory and launched rescue operations. Senior officials monitored the situation at the site as teams worked to control the flames and check whether any workers remained trapped inside. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita expressed shock over the incident and directed officials to speed up rescue measures. She spoke to the Anakapalle District Collector and Superintendent of Police to review the situation and asked them to ensure proper medical care for the injured.
Demand for compensation
The state government has assured support to the families of the victims and said all necessary steps would be taken after the investigation. Officials are expected to examine whether safety rules were followed at the unit and whether emergency systems were functioning at the time of the accident. The SEZ Anakapalle District Committee has demanded compensation of ₹1 crore each for the families of the deceased workers. A detailed probe has been initiated to identify the cause of the fire and fix responsibility if negligence is found.
