In a devastating incident, the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh concluded rescue operations on Thursday at a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant where a deadly explosion on Wednesday claimed the lives of 17 people and left nearly 40 others injured.

The blast, described as the state’s worst in recent years, occurred at the 40-acre facility of Escientia Advanced Sciences, a privately held company located in the Anakapalli district.

The explosion took place in a chemical reactor at the plant, causing significant destruction. Rescue efforts were promptly launched, but as of Thursday, all operations have been completed, confirmed Industries Secretary N. Yuvaraj.

While the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, preliminary findings suggest a vapor leak led to chemical reactions, ultimately triggering the blast. The solvent involved has been identified as methyl tert-butyl ether, according to Yuvaraj.

Authorities are currently reviewing closed-circuit television footage and interviewing the injured to determine if human error played a role in the tragedy. Escientia Advanced Sciences has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased through a post on X, highlighting the severity of the tragedy.

Andhra Pradesh has seen similar incidents in the past, including a fire at Sahithi Pharma in the same district last year, which resulted in two deaths and five injuries. The state, home to a significant portion of India’s pharmaceutical production, faces ongoing challenges in ensuring industrial safety.