An explosion at an Escientia Advanced Sciences pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone in the Anakapalli neighborhood of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on 21 August 2024 killed at least 18 people.
The 40-acre facility unit was constructed on the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation campus with a ₹200 crore budget and began production in April 2019.
[1][3] At around 2:15 p.m. IST on 21 August 2024, an explosion believed to be caused by an electrical fire occurred at the facility.
Due to the explosion occurring at lunchtime, a much higher casualty number was averted.
[1] Thick smoke surrounding the facility impeded rescue and fire extinguishing operations.