Vizag Gas Leak LIVE Updates: The Central government is flying in a specialised CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) team of the NDRF from Pune to Vishakhapatnam.
South Korea’s LG Chem said a gas leak at its plant in southern India had been brought under control, after an incident on Thursday that police estimate killed at least nine people and resulted in hundreds of casualties in nearby villages, reports Reuters.
“We are currently assessing the extent of the damage on residents in the town and are taking all necessary measures to protect residents and employees in collaboration with related organizations,” LG Chem, the owner of LG Polymers, said in a statement.
LG Chem said in a statement that the gas emitted in the leak can cause nausea and dizziness when inhaled. It said it was seeking to ensure casualties received treatment quickly.
It was investigating how the leak occurred. A company official in Seoul said separately the affected factory was suspended because of lockdown measures caused by coronavirus outbreak at the time of the accident. Shares of LG Chem were down nearly one percent by 05:33 GMT, while the broader market was up 0.03%.
Seven people including a child reportedly died after toxic gas leaked from a chemical plant reports News18. Over 200 people have been admitted to hospital. Ambulances, fire engines, and policemen have reached the chemical plant, officials told NDTV.
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that the chances of long-term health effects because of exposure to styrene vapour, which leaked from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam, are less and illnesses caused by the gas is not universally fatal.
The grim scenes recalled the Bhopal gas leak, the world's worst industrial disaster in which more than 3,000 people were killed and lakhs affected when methyl isocyanate gas leaked out from a Union Carbide plant on the intervening night of 2-3 December, 1984.
In disturbing visuals from the spot that flashed across news and social media, a man, his eyes rolling back, was being put into an ambulance. Another just slumped to the ground near a scooter, stunned and looking blank. Two children hugged each other as a rescue worker tried to revive a woman, possibly their mother. Those who could speak narrated what had happened. People could also be seen sitting on the kerb, trying to explain the events of the morning.
Distribution of drinking water bottles and food to the people evacuated due to #VizagGasLeakage. pic.twitter.com/uzxYaEu61A
— Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) (@GVMC_OFFICIAL) May 7, 2020
Vizag's district magistrate said that the emmission hasn't stopped completely and at around 9.30 am, the concentration of the gas was found to be around 1-2.5. "We need to monitor the situation for the next 48 hours to see if we are in safe zone. For it to reach to safety level- the emission has to come to zero. The emissions are still continuing to happen. Once it comes to zero, it requires further 12 hours to completely leave the area. Water sprinkler will be brought in to try to reduce it to zero."
A specialised chemical called PTBC, made only in Vapi town of Gujarat, will be sent to Visakhapatnam on an urgent basis to help in neutralising the effects of gas leak at a polymer plant there, a Gujarat government official said on Thursday.
#JaganReddy meets injured at King George Hospital | Follow LIVE updates on #VizagGasLeak here: https://t.co/9i26NfeiKN pic.twitter.com/pldlAc698y
— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 7, 2020
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday described the gas leak at a chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam 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.
Vizag Gas Leak Latest Updates: The Central government is flying in a specialised CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) team of the NDRF from Pune to Vishakhapatnam.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met the gas leak victims undergoing treatment and enquired about their well-being.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Thursday during a media briefing announced that the state government will be giving a compensation of Rs one crore to families of the deceased. He also announced a compensation who are currently admitted in the hospital will be Rs 1 lakh.
Nearly 1,000 people have been exposed to the gas and styrene has leaked out of the factory, said NDMA. SN Pradhan, NDRF DG addressed the media on the situation in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. He said, 'The incident happened at around 2:30 am. About 200-250 families were evacuated.'
Visakhapatnam District Medical and Health Officer Tirumala Rao confims to ANI that nine people have died due to the gas leak and 300 others are admitted at various hospitals.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday demanded a probe into the gas leak incident in Visakhapatnam and asked the Centre to immediately shut down the chemical plant from where styrene vapour leaked.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has left for Visakhapatnam, reports ANI. He will be visiting King George Hospital where the affected persons are being treated. Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang told ANI that the gas has been neutralised.
The South Korean company managing this has to be responsible for gas leak, said Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister MG Reddy. 'They'll have to come and explain to us exactly what all protocols were followed, and what all were not followed. Accordingly, criminal action will be taken against them' he said.
The gas leak incident in Vishakhapatnam took place as a plastic factory, that was closed during lockdown, was being prepared for resumption of operations, the NDRF chief told PTI on Thursday. About 80-100 people have been hospitalised after a gas, Styrene, leaked in the area at about 2:30 am, NDRF Director General SN Pradhan said.
The commissioner of the Visakhapatnam city corporation said styrene leaked from the plant during the early hours of the morning when families in the surrounding villages were asleep. 'Hundreds of people have inhaled it and either fell unconscious or having breathing issues,' Srijana Gummalla, Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation said on Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the Vizag gas leak. He assured Reddy of all help and support to the public from the Centre. According to NDTV, News18 eight people have died, over 300 are hospitalised and more than 5,000 have fallen sick due to the gas leak so far.
Seven people including a child reportedly died after toxic gas leaked from a chemical plant reports News18. Over 200 people have been admitted to the hospital. Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the light of the Vizag gas leak, has called for a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority at 11 am on Thursday.
At least five persons are dead and hundreds sick after poisonous gas allegedly leaked from the LG Polymer plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, reported Indian Express. and NDTV.
Authorities fear the number of deaths will rise, with news agencies reporting different numbers. PTI reports two people, including a child, were killed and nearly 70 hospitalised after the gas leak in the wee hours of Thursday.
According to ANI , a total of three persons have died in the incident. RK Meena, CP Visakhapatnam City told ANI that the gas leak has been neutralised. "NDRF team has reached the spot. The maximum impact was in about 1-1.5 km but the smell was in 2-2.5 kilometres. Hundred to 120 people have been shifted to the hospital. A total of three persons have died in the incident. FIR has been registered against the company," he said.
#UPDATE Gas has been neutralised. NDRF team has reached the spot. Maximum impact was in about 1-1.5 km but smell was in 2-2.5 km. 100-120 ppl have been shifted to hospital. Total 3 persons have died in the incident. FIR registered: RK Meena, CP Visakhapatnam City. #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/1foFpdtEKh
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020
People in the Gopalapatnam area, where the chemical plant is located, complained of irritation in eyes, breathlessness, nausea, and rashes on their bodies. District Collector V Vinay Chand told PTI two people were killed due to the gas leak, while some are in a critical condition.
Close to 70 people have been admitted to the King George Hospital after for treatment, he said. TV channels showed people lying unconscious on roads. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have rushed to the spot.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy enquired about the incident and directed the Visakhapatnam district collector to ensure proper medical care for the affected people and is currently en route the site as per reports.
With inputs from agencies
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