Lunch break delayed action in Andhra Pradesh factory unit leak, cost 17 lives

In Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, 17 workers died in a chemical explosion on August 21 at Escientia, a pharma company. A state report highlighted that the accident might have been averted if the detected MTBE leak had been fixed promptly. The leaked chemical dispersed through the building’s air handling system, contaminating multiple areas.