At least eight people including a child died after toxic gas had leaked from LG Polymers facility located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, the state government reported. At least 800 people were reportedly admitted to hospital. Ambulances, fire engines and policemen rushed to the chemical plant. Thousands of people were evacuated from the nearby villages, officials told.
Urging the residents to stay indoors, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation tweeted: “There is gas leakage identified at LG Polymers in Gopalpatnam. Requesting Citizens around these locations not to come out of houses for the sake of safety precautions.”
The plant operated by LG Polymers was located in the outskirts of Visakhapatnam. The city and the surrounding area were home to around five million people. The plant was shut since late March due to coronavirus lockdown.
The local villagers informed the officials around 3.30 am today about the presence of gas in the air. “Hundreds of people have inhaled it and either fell unconscious or having breathing issues,” Srijana Gummalla, Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation said on Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officials on Thursday in the wake of a gas leak incident in Andhra Pradesh.
Here are the live updates on the chemical plant leak near Visakhapatnam
Gas emitted in the leak can cause nausea and dizziness
LG Chem said in a statement that the gas emitted in the leak can cause nausea and dizziness when inhaled. It said it was seeking to ensure casualties received treatment quickly.
LG Polymers unit was supposed to reopen post-lockdown on Thursday
State Industries Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy said the LG Polymers unit was supposed to reopen post-lockdown on Thursday.
“We are trying to reach out to the top management of the (South Korean) company…our immediate priority is to arrest the leak and ensure proper medicare to the affected people,” he said.
Gas leaked in the wee hours of Thursday
Sources said the vapour leak occurred in the early hours of Thursday when some workers of the plant were making preparations for the re-opening of the unit following easing of the ongoing lockdown restrictions.
Help desk is set up: Where to contact
In an ongoing effort to assist the rescue operations in gas leak incident in Vizag, a helpdesk is being set up at Dept of Industries GM office in Vizag.
Contact Details: S.Prasada Rao, DD, 7997952301, 8919239341
R. Brahma, IPO, 9701197069
Five villages affected in Vizag gas leak
Five villages in the outskirts of Visakhapatnam were affected by the gas leak in the LG Polymers unit. One man is reported to have died when he jumped into a well while another person fell off the balcony of his house as the gas leak at the LG Polymers unit located at RR Venkatapuram.
Take every possible step to save lives: Andhra Pradesh CM
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is closely monitoring the situation and has directed the district officials to take every possible step to save lives and bring the situation under control.
Telangana CM expresses shock over gas leak incident
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday expressed shock over the gas leak incident at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
PM Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in the aftermath of the Visakhapatnam gas leakage mishap and assured all help and support to the state.
“PM @narendramodi has spoken to Andhra Pradesh CM Shri @ysjagan regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam. He assured all help and support,” Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.
More than 800 people were hospitalised
About 1000-1500 people have been evacuated. More than 800 people have been taken to hospital, SN Pradhan, DG, NDRF
At least nine people died: Official
Swarupa Rani, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in Visakhapatnam told Reuters that at least nine people had died and between 300-400 hospitalised. Another 1,500 people had been evacuated, mostly from a neighbouring village.
Styrene releases a poisonous gas when burnt
The LG Polymers plant makes polystyrene products, according to a company website, which are used in manufacturing electric fan blades, cups and cutlery and containers for cosmetic products such as make up. The raw material, styrene is highly flammable and releases a poisonous gas when burnt.
Areas within an approximately 3-kilometer (nearly 2-mile) radius of the plant were vulnerable, the municipal corporation said in a tweet.
Use wet cloth to cover nose or mouth
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation ask citizens to use wet masks or wet cloth to cover nose and mouth. PVC gas (or Styrene) leaked from LG Polymers, Vepagunta near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam today. Eight people died after the leakage. Hundreds were admitted to the hospital.
Authorities blowing water to subside the effect of gas leak
GVMC officials blowing water through mist blowers to subside the effect of Syrene Gas leak at Gopalapatnam area of Visakhapatnam.
PVC gas leaked from LG Polymers
Primary report is PVC gas (or Styrene) leaked from LG Polymers, Vepagunta near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam at around 2:30 AM today, said Srijana Gummalla, Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.
Hundreds of people fell sick after the gas leakage
“Hundreds of people have inhaled it and either fell unconscious or having breathing issues,” Srijana Gummalla, Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation said on Twitter.
At least 1,000 people were reported hospitalised
B K Naik, district hospitals coordinator, told AFP that at least 1,000 people had been sent to different hospitals, and that it was feared many others may be unconscious in their homes.
Evacuation underway: NDRF
A team of 27 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnels is involved in the rescue operation. Evacuation is underway, says DG, NDRF
PM Modi calls emergency meet
Prime Minister also called for a meeting with NDMA officials. “In the wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam, PM Narendra Nodi has called for a meeting of the NDMA at 11 AM,” tweeted the Prime Minister’s Office.
Closely monitoring the situation in Visakhapatnam: Amit Shah
The incident in Visakhapatnam is disturbing. 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: Union Home Minister Amit Shah
PM Modi speaks to officials over Vizag gas leak
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) regarding the Vizag gas leakage incident.
“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,” Modi’s tweet read.
Gas started leaking today morning
The gas had leaked out of two 5,000-tonne tanks that had been unattended due to coronavirus lockdown in place since late March.
Seven died in gas leak in Visakhapatnam
Seven people died after toxic gas started leaking from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam today. The evacuation operation is still underway, said DG Sawang, DGP, Andhra Pradesh