Two workers were killed and two others injured in a fire at an industrial unit inside Pharma City, Parwada, Anakapalli district, near Visakhapatnam, in the early hours of Tuesday, 23 June. The blaze broke out at approximately 5 am at Dakshin Energy, a chemical facility within the pharma industrial zone, leaving two workers burnt alive before fire crews brought the flames under control.

What Happened at the Site

The fire erupted around 5 am, trapping workers inside the unit. The deceased have been identified as Tirinath and Venkatesh, both residents of Atchutapuram in Visakhapatnam. Two other workers sustained injuries in the incident. Three fire engines — two from the Pharma City fire station and one from Parwada — were pressed into service and brought the blaze under control shortly after arrival.

Government Response

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed anguish over the tragedy and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased. He spoke directly with district officials to gather details on how the accident unfolded. Naidu directed officials to ensure the injured receive quality medical treatment and to extend all possible assistance to the victims' families.

Home Minister V. Anitha also expressed shock and reached out to the district Collector and Superintendent of Police to enquire about the incident. She directed officials to expedite relief operations and assured the families of the deceased that the government would extend full support.

A Pattern of Industrial Accidents Near Visakhapatnam

The fire comes just days after a devastating explosion at Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) — the corporate entity of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) — that claimed 10 lives on 8 June. In that incident, a ladle containing approximately 150 tonnes of molten steel, heated to between 1,500°C and 1,600°C, exploded with catastrophic force.

During a visit to Visakhapatnam following the June 8 blast, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan had flagged serious concern over the series of industrial accidents in and around the city. He had called for mandatory safety audits across all industrial units and stressed the effective implementation of existing safety rules — a directive that, notably, preceded this latest tragedy by only a fortnight.

Industrial Safety Under Scrutiny

The back-to-back incidents have intensified scrutiny on industrial safety protocols within Visakhapatnam's sprawling manufacturing corridor, which includes one of India's largest pharma clusters and heavy industry zones. Critics argue that the pace of industrial expansion in the region has outrun enforcement of safety standards. With at least 12 workers now dead across two incidents within weeks, pressure is mounting on state authorities to move beyond condolences and deliver systemic reform.

A formal inquiry into the Dakshin Energy fire is expected to follow, with officials likely to assess compliance with fire safety norms at the Pharma City facility.