A major gas leak that occurred at an industrial unit in Visakhaptnam city in Andhra Pradesh claimed the lives of at least eight people, besides forcing more than 200 to get admitted in hospital. In the early hours of Thursday, there was a gas leak from the LG Polymers plant located at Gopalpatnam.
According to local civic officials, the chemical was styrene, which accidentally got leaked as there was an attempt to restart the operations of the unit as the state eased restrictions post the second phase of lockdown. As per the preliminary information, a 3km radius of the surrounding area of the plant got affected by the gaseous emission.
Shocking scenes unfolded in the nearby residential localities as people either fainted or complained of suffocation through the morning hours. The district administration swung into action and rushed ambulances to the colonies. However, even the support staff could not take the impact of the chemical as the drivers and paramedics also lost consciousness or struggled to be fully active. It was learnt that the worst affected were children and women. The victims were rushed to King George Hospital.
According to local sources, even animals and crops got adversely affected and showed signs of damage.
LG Polymers specialises in developing plastic products and is run by a South Korean firm.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) was one of the first agencies to react on behalf of the government immediately after the incident. The civic body issued an advisory that the locals should not rush outside and instead place a wet cloth on their faces.
Soon after, the state government rushed NDRF into service and took up evacuation of residents.
According to officials, the leakage has been controlled. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy ordered an inquiry and prepared to fly to Visakhapatnam to meet the victims.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Kishan Reddy spoke to the top officials of the state and assured help.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted, “I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam.”