NEW DELHI: The death toll in a chemical factory blast in southern India rose to 45 on Tuesday (July 1) as more bodies were retrieved from the rubble.
The facility at Pashamylaram near Telangana state's capital Hyderabad belonged to Sigachi Industries Limited.
It made microcrystalline cellulose, a clarified wood pulp in powder form used in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
There were 143 people at the site when the blast occurred in a reactor and caused a huge fire, according to local media reports.
The latest death toll was 45, with 35 reported injured.
Sigachi Industries said in a statement on Monday that the damaged plant will be shut for 90 days "to facilitate replacement and restoration of affected equipment and structures".
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said the state government will discuss with the company's management a compensation of ten million rupees to each family of the deceased.
He criticised the company's response to the mishap.
"More than 24 hours have passed, where is your MD (managing director)? He has to come," Reddy was quoted as saying in media reports. - Bernama
