Leak ignored during lunch break led to deadly explosion in Andhra that killed 17 people

TOI reported that a state government report said the deadly explosion at an industrial unit in Anakapalli in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on August 21, which killed 17 people, could have been avoided if the methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) leak had been fixed promptly.

According to the report, Escientia's production team noticed a strong smell of MTBE around 1pm, more than an hour before the explosion. The team found MTBE leaking from a transfer line and dripping through a slot onto the Motor Control Centre (MCC) panel on the ground floor. Although the danger was identified, the leak was not immediately addressed due to the lunch break.

The plant was equipped with air handling units (AHUs) that circulated air throughout the building, including office areas, quality control labs and storage rooms. As a result, MTBE fumes from the leak spread through these ducts, TOI said.

By the time efforts to eliminate the leak began at around 2:30 p.m., the concentration of MTBE fumes had already reached explosive levels. First, the MCC control room exploded, causing significant building damage, followed by several explosions in the AHUs and attached rooms. The explosions were so violent that some body parts of victims were found in nearby trees and many were left beyond recognition due to severe burns and mutilation.

According to TOI, the findings have been submitted to the deputy factory manager in Visakhapatnam for further investigation.