Gas leak in Andhra Pradesh pushes thousands into hospitals with 8 dead and 20 in critical condition

Representative image: Dark clouds forms over Visakhapatnam on May 3 where LG Polymer chemical plant has reported gas leak leaving at least 3 dead so farBCCL
  • Eight dead, 20 critical and hundreds have been rushed to hospitals after LG Polymer's chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam reported a gas leak.
  • The neighborhood has been asked to evacuated with at least 50 people found unscious on the roads and the gas leak spreading to the water supply, according to authorities.
  • The local government has advised people to use masks as a safety precaution.
Major gas leak in Visakhapatnam is adding to the crisis in India with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. So far, three people have been reported dead, 20 in critical condition, hundreds in the hospital and thousands complaining of symptoms.


The PVS gas, or Styrene, gas leak was reported at the LG Polymers chemical plant in RRV Puram in wee hours of the morning today, May 7. The local authorities and navy personnel were called into action to help manage the unfolding crisis. Gopalapatman circle inspector told TOI that they found nearly 50 people lying unconsvious on the roads.

The entire neighbourhood within a 3 kilometre radius of the epicentre has been advised to evacuate by the local authorities as the gas leak contaminates the surrounding water supply.
Advertisement

"Primary report is PVC gas (or Styrene) leaked from LG Polymers, Vepagunta near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam at around 2:30 am today," Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Srijana Gummalla said in a statement.

The hospitals are preparing for thousands of incoming patients with 150-170 people already admitted to different government and private hospitals in Gopalapatnam, according to authorities. The patients are complaining of breathing issues, headaches and frequent vomiting. The ones reporting breathing problems have been provided oxygen support as per Vizag district collector V Vinay Chand.

This isn't the first gas leak to wreak havoc on the country. In 1984, the Bhopal gas tragedy left 500,000 people exposed to methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas. The immediate death toll at time was reported to be 2,259. A study by Ingrid Eckerman estimates that at least 8,000 died within the span of two weeks, with another 8,000 succumbing to gas-related diseases over time.
Advertisement

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy is scheduled to visit the city later today to stake stock of the situation.

(developing story)
{{}}