[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Indian media, including PTI, reported that a fire broke out on the 21st (local time) at the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer.
According to reports, the fire occurred at a newly constructed facility within the SII factory complex in Pune, western India. Photos reported by local media show thick black smoke billowing above the building where the fire broke out. Rescue authorities have urgently dispatched ambulances and are making every effort to extinguish the fire.
Rescue authorities stated that there are no detailed reports yet on the scale of damage or the cause of the fire. The fire department said, "Our top priority is to suppress the fire and minimize casualties."
SII produces Covishield, the AstraZeneca-Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine, in India. So far, SII has produced 50 million doses of the vaccine and plans to increase production to 100 million doses per month by March. The doses produced by SII are being supplied not only to India, which began vaccinations on the 16th, but also to neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal.
However, it is reported that the fire did not cause significant damage. A fire department official told foreign media, "The building where the fire occurred is not connected to the facility where the COVID-19 vaccine is manufactured."
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