PM calls for NDMA meet after ten die in gas leak from LG Polymers plant near Visakhapatnam

Several hundreds of people complained of breathlessness, irritation in eyes and stomach pain following the leakage of gas. People from all villages around the plant have been shifted to safer places.

Published: 07th May 2020 07:50 AM  |   Last Updated: 07th May 2020 11:58 AM   |  A+A A-

GVMC has people to leave colonies and villages around LG Polymers for safer locations. (Photo | G Satyanarayana, EPS)

By Express News Service

VISAKHAPATNAM:  Ten people have died and at least 200 are hospitalised after gas leaked from LG Polymers, a South Korean company, at Venkatapuram near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam early Thursday. 

Styrene, a flammable liquid used to make polystyrene plastics, rubber and latex, leaked from one of the unit's chambers around 3.00 a.m. when people were asleep.

Hundreds of people, within a radius of 5 km from the plant, ran outdoors in panic as the toxic fumes spread in Venkatapuram and nearby villages. Several people collapsed unconscious on the roads.

Out of the 190 members admitted in different wards of KGH, 45 are children. Out of them, six kids are in critical condition. The doctors are using MoU equipment used by Navy personnel. Through this, six members can be provided oxygen at a time. About 200 doctors are on duty as of now.

Speaking to TNIE, locals said that they didn't know what was happening. The district administration rushed ambulances and shifted the affected to the nearest hospitals. A majority were admitted to the King George Hospital. 

Unbelievable scenes unfolded in the area around LG Polymers. Many people, including children and women, were seen lying unconscious on the streets.

Several were rushed to hospitals in whatever vehicles were available -- autos, four-wheelers and many were seen running with unconscious children in their arms, crying for help. What is not known is the fate of many who were asleep in their houses. Many cattle were also found dead on the roads.

Police, NDRF and SDRF personnel and even the Navy were deployed for rescue operations and people have been advised to evacuate the area, covering their nose and mouth with a wet cloth. Residents within a five km radius are being evacuated.

In the wake of the disaster, PM Modi has called for a meeting of the NDMA at 11 am Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the officials of the Home Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority regarding the situation.

He tweeted that the situation is being closely monitored. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed anguish over the tragedy and directed the collector to leave no stone unturned to help the affected and bring the situation under control.

Jagan will be visiting Vizag in a while to meet the affected people and take stock of the situation.

District collector Vinay Chand told the media that he had spoken to the management of the company and was informed that the gas leak could be plugged in a couple of hours. 

"We received first information around 4.15 am. We estimate that approximately 200 people may have been affected," the collector said.

According to official sources, three died in Venkatapuram as they fell in a canal while running to escape the toxic fumes. Five people were declared brought dead at the King George Hospital.

Police Commissioner RK Meena said 1,000-1500 people were in the LG Polymers plant at the time of the accident but clarified that none of them had died.

The scenes at Venkatapuram are heart-wrenching with people lying on the roadside and crying. The authorities pressed into service ambulances, and RTC buses to shift the people to safer areas.

No alarm was sounded by LG Polymers soon after the gas leaked which meant the people were caught unawares.

The collector informed that the accident occurred while the plant was in the process of being recommissioned after the lockdown was relaxed.

At the King George Hospital, many including children being treated. An Eyewitness, who was at the KGH, told TNIE, "My eyes are burning. I collapsed twice after I opened the doors early morning. I don't even know how my husband, myself and our two children have come to the hospital. My two children are being treated here." 

Many said the same thing that they just ran in fear and complained of difficulty in breathing and irritation in eyes. At least 200 people are under treatment at the KGH.

A few policemen, including DCP Udaya Bhaskar, involved in rescue operations also fell sick.

Relatives of the patients are a worried lot as several of them are uncertain where their family members are. Patients were scattered in four hospitals -- Care, KIMS, KGH and Pradhama hospitals.

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," said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Total 27 persons are involved in the relief and rescue operation being conducted by NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) who are expert in dealing with industrial leakage. 80 to 90 per cent evacuation is completed," NDRF DG informed the media.

"Instructed NDRF teams to provide necessary relief measures. Continuously monitoring the situation. Hundreds of people affected an unprecedented and unfortunate event. Spoke to Home Secretary, Government of India and requested him to provide required aid. My condolences to the families of the people who passed away due to gas leak. Spoke to the Chief Secretary and DGP of the state to take stock of the situation," said G Kishan Reddy, MoS Home Affairs.

What is styrene? How it affects humans?

Dr. D Raghunatha Rao, Former Director of 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.  Chronic (long-term) exposure to styrene results in effects on the central nervous system (CNS), such as headache, fatigue, weakness, and depression, CSN dysfunction, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy. Human studies are inconclusive on the reproductive and developmental effects of styrene; several studies did not report an increase in developmental effects in women who worked in the plastics industry, while an increased frequency of spontaneous abortions and decreased frequency of births were reported in another study. Several epidemiologic studies suggest there may be an association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukaemia and lymphoma. However, the evidence is inconclusive due to confounding factors.

LG Polymers

LG Polymers was set up in 1997 at RR Venkatapuram near Gopalapatnam in 200 acres with Rs 168 crore. The plant produces 417 tonnes of polystyrene daily using styrene, a highly inflammable liquid. Gas leaked following an accident in the styrene chamber while the plant was being recommissioned post the lockdown relaxation. Vizag is in the Orange Zone with 39 coronavirus cases.