HYDERABAD: At least seven people were killed and more than 30 injured in an explosion on Wednesday at a pharmaceuticals manufacturing plant in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh state, a district government official said.

The fire broke out in the afternoon at privately held Escientia Advanced Sciences’ 40-acre manufacturing unit that was operational since 2019 in the state’s Anakapalli district, according to district collector Vijaya Krishnan.

“The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals … an inquiry has been initiated to identify the exact reason that led to the blast,” Krishnan’s office told Reuters, adding that the blast occurred during lunch time at the unit.

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“Ten fire tenders were involved in rescue operations. The fire is largely under control,” Krishnan’s office added.

Escientia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last year, two people were killed and five others were injured in a similar fire accident that broke out in a solvent reactor at a unit of Sahithi Pharma in the Anakapalli district.