Technical Glitch In Refrigeration Unit Caused Vizag Gas Leak Mishap: District Collector

Technical glitch in refrigeration unit caused gas leak mishap in Andhra Pradesh that killed 11 and affected over a 1,000 people, said Visakhapatnam District Collector on Thursday.

At least 11 people, including a child, were killed following a chemical gas leakage at LG Polymers industry in RR Venkatapuram village, Visakhapatnam, early Thursday morning.

Videos of many people, who were out for morning walk or to purchase goods amidst a lockdown, were affected by the gas leak.  Main thoroughfares of Visakhapatnam were seen with ambulances picking up those who had fainted after inhaling the poisonous gases.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one crore each to the kin of those killed in the styrene gas leak.

Also Read: It's Not Just Vizag And Bhopal: Past Major Gas Leaks In India

The leak was first reported at 3:30 in the night, an official told a TV channel. More than a 1,000 people in five surrounding villages, in a three km radius, have reported sick.

LG Polymers is a South Korean promoted plant located on the outskirts of the steel city in RR Venkatapuram village.  Residents near the chemical gas plant complained of burning sensation in their eyes and difficulty in breathing, officials said. They were immediately taken to hospital, they said.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Muncipal Corporation also wrote on Twitter: “There is gas leakage identified in LG Polymers in Gopalapatnam.  Reqeusting Citizens around these locations not to come out of their houses for the sake of safety precautions."

On hearing the news, Chief Minister held a high level meeting to review the situation arising out of the gas leak, and instructed the district administration to take all measures to ensure saving human lives.  He also immediately rushed to the Visakhapatnam from Vijayawada in a chopper.

DG Sawang, the Andhra Pradesh DGP, had earlier in the morning said there have been seven casualties in the incident. Later, SN Pradhan, Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), said the has now reached 11. The plant was shut due to the nationwide lockdown announced in the last week of March.

Also Read: What Is Styrene, The Gas That Killed 11 People In Vizag. How Dangerous Is It?

Styrene gas is a colourless or light yellow flammable liquid primarily used in the production of polysterene plastics and resins.  It is used to manufacture plastics and rubbers, which are used in containers for foodstuffs, packaging, synthetic marble flooring, disposable tableware and moulded furniture.