Explosion at Dakshin Energy unit in Visakhapatnam’s Pharma City kills two; more feared trapped
At least two workers were reportedly killed in an explosion at a unit of Dakshin Energy in Parawada Industrial Park Phase-III, within the Jawaharlal Nehru
At least two workers were reportedly killed in an explosion at a unit of Dakshin Energy in Parawada Industrial Park Phase-III, within the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) near Visakhapatnam on Tuesday (June 23, 2026). It is feared that a few more may still be trapped inside. The blast reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. The explosion triggered a major fire, sending thick plumes of smoke and flames into the sky and causing panic in the industrial area. The fire continued to rage, and emergency teams rushed to the spot to bring it under control. Fire at a Dakshin Energy unit in Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City, Parawada, in Anakapalli district, early on Tuesday. The police say two workers were killed and two injured. Video: Special Arrangement pic.twitter.com/0drewleAOp — The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) June 23, 2026 Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan closely monitored the situation and directed the officials concerned to take all necessary measures to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby industrial units. Emergency response teams and fire personnel were pressed into service to carry out rescue and firefighting operations.
The operations are still on. Anakapalli Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha, who rushed to the spot, reviewed the situation and instructed police officials to take necessary action and help in the ongoing rescue efforts. VIDEO | Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh: Two workers were killed as a fire broke out at the Dakshina Energy Industries unit in Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City. More details are awaited. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos -) pic.twitter.com/vLNlkLxRoO — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2026 Meanwhile, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader G. Satyanarayana expressed concern over the recurring industrial accidents in Pharma City. He alleged that despite repeated assurances from the government about industrial safety standards, accidents continue to occur in pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing units, raising serious questions about workplace safety and enforcement. He also said the death toll may go up. Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday expressed grief over the fire accident. The Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and sought details of the incident from district officials.
According to officials, two fire tenders from the Pharma City Fire Station and another from Parawada were rushed to the spot soon after the accident and succeeded in bringing the blaze under control. Naidu directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those injured in the incident. He also instructed the district administration to extend all necessary support to the affected families. The Chief Minister reviewed the circumstances leading to the accident and called for prompt help and relief measures for the victims. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan sought details of the accident from the District Collector. His office said two workers died and two others were seriously hurt in the fire, which broke out around 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Pawan Kalyan asked whether the fire had been brought under control and called for a review of the steps taken to prevent industrial accidents. He said an immediate safety audit should be carried out at all units in the industrial areas around Visakhapatnam, and told officials to give the injured better medical care. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the dead and said the government would stand by the affected families.
The BriefWire