Eight persons, including a six-year-old girl, died and scores of others were admitted to the government hospital at Gopalapatnam and the King George Hospital, following the leakage of poisonous gas from the Hindustan Polymers plant at RR Venkatapuram, Gopalapatnam, Visakhapatnam, on Thursday.
The death toll was confirmed by the Principal of Andhra Medical College Prof. P.V. Sudhakar and GVMC Commissioner S. Srijana. Prof. Sudhakar said that the death toll might increase and hourly monitoring of patients admitted is being done. A toll free number 1800 4250 0009 is available for any assistance with regard to this.
The gas leak occurred at the LG Polymers Plant between 2.30 a.m. and 3 a.m. and reportedly spread over a radius of about three km, affecting at least five villages, including R.R. Venkatapuram, Padmapuram, B.C. Colony and Kamparapalem.
Here are the latest updates:
Telangana CM expresses shock
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed shock over the gas leak incident at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
Describing the incident as very unfortunate, Mr. Rao wished for speedy recovery of those who fell ill due to the gas leak, an official release said here.
- PTI
One more person die in connection with the Visakhapatnam gas leak incident. With this, the total death toll touches eight.
Glimpses from the rescue ops...
A dog being rescued following the gas leak from LG Polymers that occurred in the early hours of Thursday in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
President condoles loss of lives in gas leak incident in Vizag
President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the loss of lives in the gas leak incident in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam and prayed for the recovery of the injured.
"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," he tweeted.
“I am confident that the administration is doing everything possible to bring the situation under control at the earliest,” the President said.
- PTI
Clamour for LG Polymers’ plant closure grows louder
Clamour for the closure of LG Polymers plant is growing with people from various walks seeking closure of the company for criminal negligence.
CITU State president Ch. Narsinga Rao squarely blamed the management for the major accident and sought prosecution of senior officials for the fatal accident and action against officials who accorded the clearances to the company to go ahead with the expansion.
Styrene, a poisonous gas, could have triggered series of explosions
The styrene gas that leaked from LG Polymers which has killed at least seven people and created panic in several areas of Visakhapatnam leading to fleeing of homes in the vicinity of the plant is a poisonous, inflammable gas used in plastic engineering industry, and could have triggered a series of explosions, according to experts.
Dr. D Raghunatha Rao, former Director, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre said styrene is primarily used in the production of polystyrene plastics and resins. Acute (short-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in mucous membrane and eye irritation, and gastrointestinal effects.
Cover your face with wet cloth: GVMC
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation is working along with police and NDRF to subside the gas leak effect by blowing water through water blowers.
They are also instructing people on the precautions to be taken such as covering their face with wet cloth.
GVMC has also asked people to call the toll free number 1800 4250 0009 for assistance.
PM Modi speaks to CM Jagan, assures all assistance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, said the PMO's office.
He assured all help and support, it added.
Assist those affected, says Rahul Gandhi to Congress workers
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked party workers in the area to assist those affected by the gas leak.
"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," he wrote on Twitter.
PM Modi, Amit Shah expresses concern
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah said that they are in touch with the authorities in Visakhapatnam regarding the incident.
PM Modi has convened a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority in the wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam following a gas leak incident, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The meet has been convened at 11.00 a.m., the PMO tweeted. Home Minister Amit Shah and MoS G. Kishan Reddy are expected to attend the meeting at PM's residence.
"The incident in Vizag 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," wrote Home Minister Amit Shah on Twitter.
People in 5km radius affected, says official
Minister of State G. Kishan Reddy spoke to Chief Secretary and DGP of Andhra Pradesh and extended all from Centre to deal with the tragedy.
An NDRF Team has reached the factory where the gas leak took place.
Victims being rushed to hospital after a gas leak at the LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
According to latest update, people living in five kilometre radius have been affected, said an official. This includes policemen posted in the area.
Considering that the government hospital is up to capacity, Mr. Reddy asked the Chief Secretary to use private hopsitals for treatment.
CM enquires about gas leak, leaves for Vizag
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy enquired about the gas leak, and is expected to visit the port city to obtain a first-hand account of the disaster.
The CM has instructed the Collector to take necessary rescue and relief measures, and to shift the people to safety.
Meanwhile, Minister for Industries and Commerce Mekapati Goutham Reddy instructed the district officials to set up a helpline number to cater to the residents of Narava, R.R. Puram, Tailors' Colony, BC Colony, Bapuji Nagar, Kamparapalem and Krishna Nagar areas.
He also directed the Special Chief Secretary (Industries) R. Karikal Valaven to extend every assistance required by the district administration.
Around 2,000 people evacuated
According to the police, about 2,000 people have been evacuated to various places, and many residents have moved out on their own.
District Collector V. Vinay Chand said that about 300 beds had been kept ready and people had been asked to cover their faces with wet cloth.
Many were hospitalised following a gas leak from LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam early on May 7, 2020. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
An National Disaster Response Force team has reached the spot to evacuate people.
According to a resident, the police reached the spot around 3 a.m. and alerted the residents using loud speakers and siren. The Commissioner of Police said that the police had to break open doors to evacuate the residents. The Collector said that ambulances, police vans and APSRTC buses were deputed to evacuate the people.