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About 90 people were working at around 9.30 AM in the plant of Sigachi Industries at Pashamylaram when the tragedy occurred, state Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha, who visited the accident site along with Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy, told reporters. The cause of the mishap would be known after examination by the technical experts, he said. Venkatswamy said 12 of the 34 injured people were critical and put on ventilator support in the hospitals. Because of the burns, their respiratory system was under stress, he said. The government is hopeful that the remaining 22 people who received burns recover soon, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the fire tragedy and conveyed condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the incident. He wished an early recovery to the injured. In a post on 'X', he announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed anguish over the incident and directed officials to take all steps to save the trapped workers and provide them advanced medical care, an official release said. The company said it deeply mourns the loss of lives and extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. The firm is extending all possible support to those affected, it added. Y Nagi Reddy, Director General of the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services, said a blast was being suspected in the drying unit of a plant. "Industrial experts are saying that during the drying process, or a handling process the pressure could have built up followed by the blasting of the material which led to the blasting of the entire handling unit as well as the industrial building," Reddy told reporters. He said the removal of debris was still ongoing at the blast site and that search was on for any people trapped in the collapsed three-storeyed building. Inspector General of Police (Multizone) V Satyanarayana said the impact of the blast was felt for about five kms in the Pashamylaram area. Labour Minister Venkatswamy said the incharge of the factory also lost his life in the accident and "there is nobody from the factory side to give us really what happened," he said. After the incident, the district Collector and Superintendent of Police reached the spot within 30 minutes, he said. A good ex-gratia amount would be ensured to the kin of the deceased and the government would also consider interim help to the affected families, the minister said. He also said DNA tests were being conducted in hospitals to identify some of the deceased. At least half a dozen bodies should undergo DNA profiling to establish the identity as they were charred beyond recognition, a Revenue Department official. Sigachi Industries Limited is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering advancements in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Intermediates, Excipients, vitamin-mineral blends, and Operations and Management (O and M) services, according to the company's website. PTI SJR GDK SJR KH