5 workers killed, 5 injured in explosion at chemical unit in Gujarat's Bharuch

BHARUCH: At least five workers were killed and five others injured in an explosion at a pharmaceuticals factory in Sayakha GIDC area in Gujarat’s Bharuch, police said.

The blast occurred around 10 pm on Friday during a hydrogenation process and triggered a leak of methylene dichloride (MDC) gas, officials said.

Bharuch Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manisha Manani said SynZeal Pharmachem, which was set up in Saykha a year ago, manufactures pharmaceutical intermediates.

The explosion, suspected to have occurred during the hydrogenation process, was powerful enough to rip apart the reactor tank, scattering machinery parts across the premises, she said.

Superintendent of Police Akshyaraj Makwana said that five people died in the blast, while five others sustained injuries.