New Delhi, June 24: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo moto cognisance of media reports following the tragic death of two workers and serious injury to another due to a toxic gas leak at a pharmaceutical effluent treatment unit in Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City, Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh.
The incident occurred during the night shift on June 11, 2025, when the workers reportedly collapsed after inhaling poisonous fumes, believed to have been released during waste treatment operations.
NHRC Seeks Accountability and Action
Expressing deep concern over potential human rights violations, the NHRC has issued notices to:
- The Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh
- The Superintendent of Police, Anakapalli
They have been directed to submit a detailed report within two weeks, including:
- The current medical status of the injured worker
- Compensation details provided to the victims’ families and the survivor
- Preventive measures being adopted to avoid such incidents in the future
Official Confirmation and Incident Details
Local authorities confirmed that the two deceased workers died on the spot after opening a valve near a tank, which released toxic gases. The third worker remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
The deceased bodies were transported to King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam for post-mortem examinations.
Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement and industrial safety officials have begun a probe into:
- The safety protocol adherence of the pharmaceutical company
- Cause of the leak and possible negligence or regulatory lapses
- Accountability of company management and safety officers
Broader Implications
The NHRC emphasized that such incidents highlight the urgent need for better industrial safety compliance and protection of workers’ rights, particularly in hazardous industries like pharmaceuticals and chemicals.