Fire at Covid-19 vaccine factory kills five people
AT least five people died yesterday in a fire that broke out at the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, officials said.
The company insisted that the blaze would not affect production of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
Murlidhar Mohol, the mayor of the city of Pune in Maharashtra state, said five bodies were found in the rubble, after the flames were extinguished by firefighters.
Mr Mohol said the victims were probably construction workers. He said the cause of the fire had not been determined and the extent of damage was not immediately clear.
The Serum Institute of India’s chief executive, Adar Poonwala, said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life, but he claimed there would be no reduction in vaccine manufacturing because the company has other available facilities.
The company said the fire was restricted to a new facility it is constructing to increase the production of Covid-19 vaccines and ensure it is better prepared for future pandemics. The firm said the fire did not affect existing facilities making Covid-19 vaccines.
Images showed huge plumes of smoke billowing from the building and dozens of company workers leaving the compound as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
The Serum Institute of India is the world’s largest maker of vaccines, and has been contracted to manufacture a billion doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The new facility is part of its expansion plans.