Vice-President Dhankhar and PM Modi Offer Condolences After Anakapalli Pharma Factory Blast
New Delhi [India], August 22: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his sorrow over the tragic reactor blast at a pharma company in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Atchutapuram in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in at least 17 deaths and several injuries.
Dhankhar wrote on social media platform X, ‘Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to mishap at a factory in Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.’
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared his condolences on X and demanded a high-level investigation. He stated, ‘Deeply anguished by the terrible fire tragedy in a pharmaceutical factory in Anakapalle district of Andhra Pradesh where several people have lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families. The government must provide them with immediate and adequate compensation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and we wish them a speedy recovery. We need to take more preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future and ensure justice to the victims, therefore the government must act with alacrity on the high-level probe.’
The blast occurred when a 500-kilo-litre capacitor reactor exploded at the pharma company, with around 200 workers present at the time. Anakapalli SP M Deepika mentioned that rescue operations are ongoing, coordinated by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and is expected to visit the families of the deceased and injured on Thursday.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) shared on X, ‘Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at a factory in Anakapalle. Condolences to those who lost their near and dear ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.’
Doubts Revealed
Vice-President -: The Vice-President is the second-highest official in India, after the President. He helps in running the country and takes over if the President can’t do their job.
PM Modi -: PM Modi refers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the head of the government in India. He makes important decisions for the country.
Condolences -: Condolences are expressions of sympathy and sorrow for someone who has experienced a loss, like when someone dies.
Anakapalli -: Anakapalli is a place in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It’s where the pharma factory blast happened.
Pharma company -: A pharma company is a business that makes medicines and other health-related products.
Congress President -: The Congress President is the leader of the Indian National Congress, a major political party in India. Right now, it’s Mallikarjun Kharge.
High-level investigation -: A high-level investigation is a thorough and detailed examination of an event, usually done by important officials to find out what happened and why.
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southeastern part of India. It’s where the blast took place.
Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state. N Chandrababu Naidu is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
NDRF -: NDRF stands for National Disaster Response Force. They are a special team in India that helps during big emergencies like natural disasters or accidents.
