Gas Leak in Visakhapatnam: A major gas leak at LG Polymer chemical plant in Visakhapatnam has left hundreds sick and at least many dead. Follow live updates from Vizag:
major gas leak at the LG Polymers chemical plant in Visakhapatnam has left seven people dead, including a child. Hundreds of villagers were rushed to nearby hospitals in Visakhapatnam with complaints of headache, vomiting and breathing problems.
The Visakhapatnam gas leak took place at LG Polymers chemical plant around 2.30 am on Thursday. The death toll has now gone up to seven and the evacuation process is still on in the nearby areas.
Horrific videos and photos surfacing from the nearby villages show scores of people lying unconscious on the roads. Many were seen trying to reach ambulances with unconscious children in their arms.
FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON THE VIZAG GAS LEAK:
11.30 AM: Eight people have died due to the massive gas leak in Visakhapatnam. Among the dead is an 8-year-old child.
11.25 AM: President Ram Nath Kovind says, “Saddened by the news of gas leak in a plant near Visakhapatnam which has claimed several lives. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the recovery of the injured and the safety of all.”
11.20 AM: Train movement has been stopped near the Vishakapatnam gas plant after the leakage. Train movement near Simhachalam station has been stopped. Trains are being diverted and some are being regulated.
11.15 AM: “Locals reported throat and skin irritation and some toxic infection, then police and administration came into action. About 1000-1500 people have been evacuated, of which more than 800 people have been taken to hospital,” said SN Pradhan, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) DG.
11 AM: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: Painful news from Visakhapatnam. I am deeply pained by the loss of lives due to the tragic incident. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the safety and well-being of all the people in Visakhapatnam.
10.40 AM: PM Modi speaks to Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy, assures all help.
10.35 AM: Chandrababu Naidu: Shocked to learn about the death of 3 people & hundreds being affected by a gas leak from a plant near Visakhapatnam. TDP leaders and cadre must be readily available to help people in distress. I urge everyone to take necessary precautions as advised by the officials.
10.30 AM: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “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.”
10.23 AM: CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will leave for Vizag and visit King George Hospital where the affected are being treated. The chief minister is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed the district machinery to take immediate steps and provide all help.
10.20 AM: PMO has tweeted that in the wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam, PM Modi has called for a meeting of the NDMA at 11 AM.
10.17 AM: “There have been seven casualties so far, one of them fell into well while trying to escape. The evacuation operation is still underway. The plant was shut due to the countrywide lockdown,” says Andhra Pradesh DGP, DG Sawang to ANI.
10.15 AM: Rahul Gandhi says in a tweet, “I’m shocked to hear about the Vizag gas leak. I urge our Congress workers & leaders in the area to provide all necessary support & assistance to those affected. My condolences to the families of those who have perished. I pray that those hospitalised make a speedy recovery.”
10.10 AM: PM Narendra Modi speaks to MHA and NDMA officials on the Visakhapatnam situation.
10.05 AM: GVMC has appealed to locals to wear wet cloth masks and cover their faces in the affected areas
10 AM: The gas leak took place in a tank with 2,000 metric tons of chemical capacity. Another tank with 3,000 MT chemical was intact. Outside the plant almost around 2,000 people have been affected due to the leak. Many workers were feared present inside the plant at the time of the leak.
9.55 AM: G Kishan Reddy, MoS Home Affairs said, “My condolences to the families of 5 people who passed away due to gas leak at a private firm in Visakhapatnam today. Spoke to the Chief Secretary and DGP of the state to take stock of the situation.”
9.50 AM: Around 3,000 people in Venkatapuram area have been evacuated. 170 people have been hospitalised.
9.45 AM: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has inquired about the gas leak in Visakhapatnam and directed the district officials to take every possible step to save lives and bring the situation under control. He will be leaving for Visakhapatnam soon.
9.40 AM: After hours of the leak, ANI quoted Visakhapatnam City Police Commissioner RK Meena as saying, “The gas has been neutralised. NDRF team has reached the spot. Maximum impact of the gas leak was in the 1-1.5 km radius but the smell spread upto 2-2.5 km. Around 100-120 people have been shifted to the hospital.”
An FIR has been registered in the case.
9.30 AM: Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Srijana Gummalla has said, “Primary report is PVC gas (or Styrene) leaked from LG Polymers, Vepagunta near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam at around 2:30 am today.”
9.20 AM: Local authorities have said around 150-170 people have been admitted in different government hospitals. Some others are also being taken to private hospitals in Goplapuram.
9 AM: Authorities have said they are preparing beds for around 1500-2000 people.
8.40 AM: The gas leakage was reported at LG Polymers in RRV Puram, Naidu Thota area in the early hours of Thursday. Local administration and personnel of the Indian Navy were pressed into action who evacuated five nearby villages.
8.30 AM: Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has issued a warning for locals and said, “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.”
8.30 AM: Gummalla said that GVMC is spreading water in the area to subside the effects of the gas leak and has advised people to use masks. “Leave the neighbourhood,” the officer said in a tweet.
The hazardous gas leakage has left many ill in the area and this has created panic.
South Korean company LG Polymers makes polystyrene and expandable polystyrene, a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products like toys and appliances. It has been in operation since 1961. (with inputs from India Today)
