A tragic explosion at a pharmaceutical production facility in the Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh, India, has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, according to a local official. Rescue operations were underway late Wednesday afternoon after a fire erupted at the privately-owned factory, Escientia Advanced Sciences, which spans 16 acres.

“The current death toll is 15 and is expected to rise. Nearly 40 people have been injured. Rescue operations are ongoing,” stated district superintendent M. Deepika to Reuters.

The explosion occurred during lunch break at the factory, which commenced operations in 2019 and specializes in the production of intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients. “The injured have been transported to nearby hospitals… It appears that there may have been an explosion in a chemical reactor,” reported district collector Vijaya Krishnan.

The state government has ordered an investigation into the incident. “The workers who died or were injured were performing the most critical and dangerous tasks,” said local politician L. Srinivas Rao to The Indian Express.

An officer from the Atchutapuram police station explained that those injured or deceased suffered extensive chemical burns, with injuries so severe that “their skin peeled off” as a result of the explosion. “It was horrific, heartbreaking. They were screaming before losing consciousness,” remarked M. Buchaiah.

Six fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and the National Disaster Response Force also assisted in the rescue efforts. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed sorrow over the death of the workers. “The Chief Minister assured that the government will support the families of the deceased,” stated a release from his office.

This is not the first time serious accidents have occurred in this industry; last year, two people were killed, and five others were injured in a similar incident at a factory in Anakapalli district.