5 people were killed after a massive fire broke out at the Serum Institute of India, which is the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world.
The authorities are currently tackling the fire and the exact cause of the fire along with the extent of the damage are not yet known.
The institute released a statement about the fire and said that the fire had started in a new part of the building that was still under construction.
The building was being built to accelerate the production of the coronavirus vaccines.
Murlidhar Mohol, the MLA (Mayor) of the Pune City, said that the bodies of the 5 people were found in the rubble after the flames were stopped.
Experts believe that the 5 victims are “likely” construction workers that were working at the time of the fire.
Adar Poonwalla, the chief executive of the institute, said they were deeply saddened after getting to know that 5 people had passed away.
The Serum Institute of India also said that the fire will affect the rate of vaccine production.
In a tweet that was made by Poonwalla about the incident, they said:
We have just received some distressing updates; upon further investigation, we have learnt that there has unfortunately been some loss of life at the incident. We are deeply saddened and offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the departed.
The Serum Institute of India is currently working to manufacture billion doses of the coronavirus vaccines that are made by the Oxford University and the AstraZeneca.
The authorities did not release the identities of the 5 people that were killed.
An investigation has been launched to know the exact cause of the fire, said reports.