Anakapalli (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 22 (ANI): At least 14 people were killed and several others sustained burn injuries after a reactor blast in a pharma company in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Atchutapuram in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalli on Wednesday.

Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan confirmed the deaths on Wednesday and said that the casualties are feared to rise.

Also Read | Qazis Can't Register Muslim Marriages in Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma Led-Cabinet Decides Muslim Marriage Registration Must Be Done by Sub-Registrar From Now On.

The incident happened after a 500-kilo-litre capacitor reactor exploded at a pharma company with around 200 workers still working at the time.

Anakapalli SP M Deepika said that rescue operations are underway at the blast site and a team of NDRF is coordinating the rescue efforts.

Also Read | PM Modi Poland Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Pays Homage at 3 Memorials, Including ‘Good Maharaja Square’, in Warsaw (See Pics).

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. The Chief Minister is expected to visit the family of the deceased and injured on Thursday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and said that he was "pained" by the loss of lives in the mishap.

The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, as per the PMO.

"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," PMO mentioned in a post on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also offered condolences on the loss of lives in the reactor blast. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)