Hyderabad, Aug 22 (IANS) Two people were killed, and several others were seriously injured after a reactor blast triggered a fire at a pharmaceutical unit in Telangana's Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, officials said on Saturday.

According to the police, the incident occurred late on Friday night while workers were changing shifts.

The pharma company is located in the Pochampally mandal area, according to police.

"A tragic industrial accident occurred late on Friday night at Hazelo Lab Private Limited, a pharma unit near Dothigudem in Pochampally mandal. A reactor explosion resulted in the deaths of two employees and left several others injured," an official told IANS.

Upon receiving the information, police and the fire department, along with rescue and relief officials, reached the spot, officials said.

They added that the workers were rescued and the injured were admitted to the nearest hospitals for treatment. Two were declared dead by the medical officials.

The blaze triggered by the blast was brought under control by the fire officials.

Police said that a case has been registered and an investigation into the incident is underway.

The cause of the blast is unknown, and officials are investigating to determine what could have led to the tragedy, police said.

Further details are awaited.

In a separate incident, a blast occurred at a factory in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district, killing three engineers and leaving one injured.

The explosion occurred late on Friday at Maa Chhinnamastika Cement and Ispat Private Limited, a sponge-iron factory located in Hehal, under Patratu block of the Ramgarh district, officials said.

According to officials, the fire broke out during production work at the power plant site of the factory. This caused panic among the workers in the night shift.

Upon receiving the information, police and the fire department arrived at the scene and rescued the workers. However, three engineers and the workers were trapped inside the factory.

The injured have been shifted to the nearest hospital.

The factory management has said that the cause of the blast is likely overheating in the plant.

Investigation is underway, and further details are awaited.

--IANS

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