Ticker – Explosion and fire at a pharmaceutical plant in India

An explosion triggered a fire at a pharmaceutical plant in southern India, killing at least 18 workers. The death toll rose from 15 as three of the 40 injured in the fire Wednesday died in hospital on Thursday. The incident occurred at the Escientia Company, which makes intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The plant is in Andhra Pradesh state’s special economic zone near the port city of Vishakhapatnam, a highly industrialized area with many mishaps, including hazardous chemical leakages. According to media reports, officials suspect the fire was caused by an electrical fault at the plant. State authorities have ordered an investigation.