Retired scientists criticize deficient accident report in Anakapalli

A group of retired scientists in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is raising concerns about the investigation into a fatal accident at a pharmaceutical plant in Anakapalli district. The accident occurred at Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Limited, resulting in 17 deaths and injuries to 39 people. The group, Scientists for People, led by K. Babu Rao, criticized the High-Level Committee's report on the incident. They claimed the report is lacking important details necessary for proper analysis and that the committee visited the site five weeks after the accident. They highlighted serious safety issues, including poor maintenance, unsafe work practices, and a flawed ventilation system. The scientists argue that the plant's operating license was issued without adequate safety checks. They believe this oversight contributed to the severity of the tragedy. They are calling for a more thorough investigation that includes examining regulatory practices, which they say are too lenient and prioritize business over safety. The draft report, according to the scientists, failed to address the role of regulatory oversight in the accident. They found that the report did not fully comply with its original guidelines, and there was no consensus among committee members on its findings. They warned that inadequate regulatory oversight could lead to more preventable accidents in the future.