Two workers killed in chloroform fume leak at pharmaceutical unit, TGPCB orders closure

Two employees of a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit were killed after being exposed to chloroform fumes that leaked during a manufacturing process at Saraca Laboratories Limited in Gaddapotharam Jinnaram mandal industrial area of ​​Sangareddy district late on Thursday (October 22).

The deceased have been identified as Sudharshan Rao (44) and Balaji (27), both natives of Andhra Pradesh. One of them worked as a chemist and the other as a supervisor in the facility.

Following the incident, the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TPCCB) on Friday ordered the immediate closure of the block and ordered the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) to disconnect its power supply.

According to the TGPCB, the incident occurred at around 11.30 pm on Thursday during the process of layer separation in the production unit-2 of the facility.

The leak is said to have occurred when chloroform was being transferred from a reactor located on the first floor to a receiver on the ground floor. The fumes quickly spread through the production area, exposing two employees to the chemical.

Both the workers lost consciousness and were taken to Narayana Hospital where they were declared brought dead by the doctor on duty. The hospital subsequently informed the police.

Following the deaths, TGPCB officials inspected the manufacturing plant on Friday and obtained details of the incident from the company’s general manager and deputy general manager. During the inspection, company representatives explained the circumstances of the leak and provided technical details of the manufacturing process in which the incident occurred.

Considering the seriousness of the incident, the board issued the closure orders without first giving the company an opportunity to be heard. He also directed TGSPDCL officials at Sangareddy to disconnect power to the unit.

Published – 23 Oct 2026 22:24 IST