Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took stock of the situation in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam where a gas leak from a chemical plant has left six dead, and assured all possible assistance to state Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The prime minister has also convened a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority at 11 am in wake of the situation, the PMO said.
The prime minister wrote on Twitter that he spoke with Union Home Ministry officials and National Disaster Management Authority regarding the situation 'which is being monitored closely'.
'I pray for everyone's safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam,' he said.
The Prime Minister's Office said Modi spoke to the state chief minister.
'He assured all help and support,' a PMO tweet said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the gas leak as 'disturbing' and said the central government is closely monitoring the situation.
He said he is praying for the well-being of the people of Visakhapatnam.
'The incident in Vizag is disturbing. Have spoken to the NDMA officials and concerned authorities. We are continuously and closely monitoring the situation,' Shah tweeted.
Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy spoke to Andhra Pradesh's chief secretary and director general of police and took stock of the situation.
Reddy instructed teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide necessary assistance to the victims.
"I am continuously monitoring the situation. Hundreds of people have also been affected in the unprecedented and unfortunate event in Visakhapatnam, AP," he said in New Delhi.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed shock over the gas leak incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those hospitalised.
He also urged Congress workers in the area to provide all necessary support to those affected.
'I'm shocked to hear about Vizag Gas Leak. I urge our Congress workers and leaders in the area to provide all necessary support and assistance to those affected. My condolences to the families of those who have perished. I pray that those hospitalised make a speedy recovery,' he said on Twitter.