Two workers were killed in an explosion at a Dakshin Energy unit in the Parawada Industrial Park, in Anakapalli district near Visakhapatnam, early on Tuesday (June 23, 2026).
The victims were identified as B. Trinadh (24) of Jagannapeta in Atchutapuram mandal, and V. Venkatesh (34) of Govada in Anakapalli. About seven people work at the unit, but only the two who died were on the night shift when the blast struck, the police said.
Boiler blast suspected
The unit makes plastic pyrolysis oil and carbon black from waste plastic. The explosion is suspected to have happened during the processing of waste plastic for pyrolysis oil, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Parawada Sub-Division, B. Mohan Rao told The Hindu.
Mr. Mohan Rao said pyrolysis oil was usually made by heating plastic waste to high temperatures, and the blast had occurred in the boiler. The cause was not yet known and would be settled only after an inquiry by the Factories department, he said.
The blast set off a fire that sent thick smoke and flames into the sky and caused panic in the industrial area. Inspector L. Bhaskar Rao of the Parawada police station said the explosion struck around 5.30 a.m. The police and fire services were called in as soon as word reached them, and four fire tenders from Anakapalli and Parawada were rushed to the spot. The firemen took more than 90 minutes to put out the fire.
Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan monitored the response and directed officials to contain the fire and stop it spreading to nearby units. Anakapalli Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha, who reached the spot, told police personnel to help at the site.
Leaders condole, inquiry ordered
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief and conveyed his condolences to the families of the dead. He sought details from district officials and asked the administration to extend all support to the affected families.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan sought details of the accident from the District Collector. He asked whether the fire had been brought under control and called for a review of the steps taken to prevent accidents in industries. He said an immediate safety audit should be carried out at all units in the industrial areas around Visakhapatnam. Mr. Pawan Kalyan conveyed his condolences to the families of the dead and said the government would stand by the affected families.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said she was deeply shocked. She spoke by phone to the Anakapalli District Collector and the Superintendent of Police to get details of the fire, and directed officials to speed up relief and give all help to those affected. Ms. Anitha said the State Government would stand by the victims’ families and bring in stricter safety at industrial units across the State.
Labour Minister Vasamsetti Subhash, in a release, said the government stood firmly by the victims and their families. He ordered a full inquiry into the cause and said strict action would follow against anyone found negligent. There would be no compromise on industrial safety, Mr. Subhash added.
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. He called for a full inquiry and the strict enforcement of safety rules to prevent such accidents. Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy also urged the government to give financial support and all help to the families of the dead.
Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader G. Satyanarayana raised concern over the repeated accidents in the industrial area. He alleged that accidents kept occurring at industrial and chemical units despite repeated government assurances on safety, which raised questions about enforcement.
Pendurthi MLA Panchakarla Ramesh Babu visited the site on Tuesday and voiced concern over the repeated industrial accidents despite regular safety reviews. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the site, he said such accidents kept happening despite repeated assurances from industries and constant monitoring by government departments.
V. Kamala, wife of V. Venkatesh (34), breaks down after he was killed in the explosion at the Dakshin Energy unit at Parawada, in Anakapalli district, on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
V. Raju
“Even after taking several precautionary measures and conducting regular reviews, accidents are still happening. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu himself reviewed the issue this morning and questioned why such incidents continue despite the safety mechanisms in place,” he told The Hindu.
Mr. Ramesh Babu said the government had been holding frequent meetings of officials from the Industries, Pollution Control, Revenue and other departments to strengthen safety standards. Regular inspections, safety audits and awareness programmes were also being held for industrial units and workers, he added.
Relatives and neighbours console B. Madhavi, sister of B. Trinadh, 24, at the Dakshin Energy unit at Parawada, in Anakapalli district, on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
V. Raju
“From the Chief Minister to officials at the grassroots level, everyone has been stressing the need for strict safety compliance. Yet, accidents are recurring, which is extremely frustrating and concerning. We will take this incident very seriously and examine every aspect of it,” Mr. Ramesh Babu said.
He said that though the government had repeatedly told industries to follow safety norms strictly, the repeated accidents showed the need for greater accountability and stronger enforcement.
Asked about ex gratia for the families, the MLA said the victims were young, their lives ahead of them.
“The deceased workers were young and had many responsibilities. Their families are heavily dependent on them. We will take the plight of the affected families into consideration and discuss the matter with higher authorities. A decision regarding compensation and other support measures will be taken soon,” he said.
Published – June 23, 2026 10:43 am IST
