Give me the burnt corpses…. The sad story of Sigachi

The explosion at the Sigachi Industrial Reactor in Pashamilaram near Patancheru stands as the most devastating industrial tragedy in Telangana’s history. The blast claimed the lives of dozens of workers, with official reports stating 45 deaths, while unofficial sources suggest 38. The sheer magnitude of the explosion caused severe burns to the victims, complicating the identification process. Even four days after the incident, only 18 bodies have been identified, leaving several families in a painful state of uncertainty.

One of the most heart-wrenching aspects of this tragedy is the suffering of the victims’ families. At the gates of the Sigachi Company and inside the corridors of Dhruva Hospital, the air is filled with cries of grief and desperation. Mothers wail for their sons, and fathers plead for the return of their loved ones’ bodies. These scenes reflect the emotional toll of the incident, as families are left in limbo, unable to complete final rites or begin mourning properly.

The delay in identifying the victims has added to the agony. Due to the extent of the burns, doctors have been forced to rely on DNA testing, a process that takes time and is emotionally draining for families who are desperate for closure. Many family members have expressed frustration over the pace and transparency of the rescue and identification efforts, claiming that authorities are providing vague and unsatisfactory updates.

Public outrage is growing as the situation unfolds. Families of the missing are demanding that the rescue operations be intensified and the DNA testing process expedited. They feel abandoned and unheard in their time of need. The tragedy has not only exposed lapses in industrial safety but also highlighted the urgent need for better disaster response protocols and support systems for affected families.