Toxic gas leakage in Visakhapatnam chemical plant kills 11, situation now under control
Visakhapatnam/IBNS: In a tragic incident occurred at a time 1.3 billion people of India are battling Covid-19, at least 11 people including a child were killed after a toxic gas leaked from a chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam in the wee hours of Thursday.
Nearly 800 people were admitted to hospital after a Styrene gas leaked from an LG Polymers facility located in the city at around 3 am.
Even hours after the incident, several people were found unconscious in lanes, ditches and roads due to inhalation of the toxic gas.
Morning report of gas leak to local #NDRF unit frm LG Polymers Pvt Ltd company at Gopalpatnam PS, Vishakapatnam (AP). @NDRFHQ Spl team on site & evacuated many. Reported Several hospitalized/unconscious.Update/details follow. @ndmaindia @HMOIndia @BhallaAjay26 @PIBHomeAffairs pic.twitter.com/7MJC0bVfWe
— Ñ•αtчα prαdhαnसतà¥à¤¯à¤¨à¤¾à¤°à¤¾à¤¯à¤£ पà¥à¤°à¤§à¤¾à¤¨ ସତàଯ ପàରଧାନ-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) May 7, 2020
Though the exact cause of the leakage is yet unknown, the incident occurred when the unit was restarted after the anti-Covid-19 lockdown.
LG Chem, which own LG Polymers India, issued a statement saying the situation was now under control.
The statement said as quoted by NDTV, "The gas leak situation is now under control and we are exploring all ways to provide speedy treatment for those who suffer from inhaling the leaked gas."
"We are investigating the extent of damage and exact cause of the leak and deaths," it added.
The gas reportedly spread over a radius of about three kilometres, affecting at least five villages including R.R. Venkatapuram, Padmapuram, B.C. Colony and Kamparapalem.
Residents near the Chemical Gas plant reported of burning sensation in their eyes and difficulty in breathing, officials said.
The LG Polymer plant was preparing to open today after almost 40 days. Up to around 5 kms the chemical can be smelt. Police using jeeps to make announcements, asking people to get out of their homes. Many not responding. This tragedy can turn out to be really big! pic.twitter.com/CfkffkbU6m
— Paul Oommen (@Paul_Oommen) May 7, 2020
Many cows, dogs have died after getting exposed to the poisonous gas.
Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister MG Reddy said the company would have to explain how the gas leaked and the protocols which were followed while restarting the unit which was shut for 40 days due to the lockdown.
In the afternoon, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy went to the city, visited a government hospital and met with the casualties.
Hon'ble Chief Minister @ysjagan met with the casualties of #VizagGasLeak in King George Government hospital. He assured them that all necessary assistance will be extended to them & their families.
— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) May 7, 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his initial reaction in the morning said in a tweet, "Spoke to officials of MHA and NDMA regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam."
Spoke to officials of MHA and NDMA regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 7, 2020
I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam.
Modi along with his top ministers held a meeting with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to review the situation of Visakhapatnam.
Earlier today, PM @narendramodi chaired a meeting of the NDMA to review the situation in Visakhapatnam. pic.twitter.com/JWvhzcZEoz
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 7, 2020
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the incident as "disturbing".
The incident in Vizag is disturbing.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 7, 2020
Have spoken to the NDMA officials and concerned authorities. We are continuously and closely monitoring the situation.
I pray for the well-being of the people of Visakhapatnam.
(Image Credit: UNI)
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