Hyderabad, July 2: The search for 13 workers who went missing after an explosion at a pharmaceutical facility in Pashamyalaram is still underway as of Wednesday.

More than two days have passed since the incident at Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd., which resulted in the deaths of 36 workers, and rescue teams are diligently working to remove debris.

Officials report that 13 individuals remain unaccounted for, with concerns that they may be trapped beneath the rubble of the three-story building that collapsed due to the blast.

To aid in the recovery efforts, large cranes and JCBs have been deployed at the site located in the Sangareddy district, approximately 50 kilometers from Hyderabad.

Search operations faced challenges due to heavy rainfall in the area on Tuesday night, but efforts resumed early Wednesday morning.

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), along with local police, are actively involved in the search.

The explosion occurred on Monday morning while 143 workers were present at the factory, specifically in the Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) drying unit.

While 36 fatalities have been confirmed, 34 injured individuals are receiving treatment in various hospitals, with some in critical condition.

Out of the total, 60 workers have been accounted for, leaving 13 still missing.

Identification of the deceased has been challenging, with only four victims recognized, as many were severely burned. Authorities are collecting DNA samples for identification purposes.

Medical professionals at the Government Area Hospital in Patancheru are conducting DNA tests on 20 bodies, with samples being sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis and comparison with family reference samples.

The majority of the victims were migrant workers hailing from states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy visited the site on Tuesday and announced a compensation of Rs one crore for each family of the deceased. Additionally, Rs one lakh was provided as immediate assistance to the families of 11 victims.

For those with severe injuries, Rs 10 lakh has been promised, while Rs 5 lakh will be given to other injured individuals. Families of all injured workers will also receive Rs 50,000 each as immediate support.

Following a complaint from a victim's relative, police have initiated legal proceedings against Sigachi Industries regarding the explosion.