The state of Andhra Pradesh and rest of the country woke up on Thursday for the shocking incident amid the Coronavirus outbreak as the major and unprecedented gas leak from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh had claimed the lives of eight people so far, including children, and put hundreds in hospital of which most of them remain unconscious.
According to the state police department, the gas leak at the LG Polymers Chemical Plant in RR Venkatapuram, Visakhapatnam started around 2 am on Thursday and it spread to the vicinities for up to 4 kilometers from the chemical plant. The residents living around the plant had reported the uneasiness of burning sensation in their eyes, breathing difficulty, and vomiting, and all of them were taken to the hospital immediately.
After issuing the conformity of the gas leakage, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation appealed to the people around the plant not to hop out from their houses for safety precautions. The visuals from the spot shown the chaotic atmosphere as hundreds of people had gathered on the road and aided the affected ones by putting them into the ambulances.
The state police chief stated that the fatalities include two children, and two were accident-related deaths - one man fell into a well while attempting to flee the spot and the other had fallen from the second floor of the house and the police chief asserted that the leaked gas is neither lethal nor poisonous.
Over 800 people have been admitted to the hospitals and they will be given treatment following which they will be discharged. The reports say that three villages around the plant have been evacuated. Commissioner of Visakhapatnam Corporation has said that the primary report is PVC gas leaked from LG Polymers and because of the leakage, hundreds of people have inhaled it and either fell unconscious or having breathing issues.
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 percent evacuation is completed: NDRF DG to ANI. #VizagGasLeak
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020
Some of the visuals shown dozens of people lying on road. About 1000 to 1500 people have been evacuated of which over 800 people have been admitted at the hospitals. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has come into action. According to the Central agency, about 27 personnel are being involved in the relief and rescue operation and about 90 percent of evacuation is over.
The Chemical plant was set up in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers and it was acquired by LG and renamed as LG Polymers in 1997. The plant is known for making polystyrenes, a flexible plastic that will be used to produce several products like home appliances.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is praying for everyone's safety in Visakhapatnam. He tweeted that he had spoken to the officials of the MHA and NDMA concerning the situation. According to ANI, the Prime Minister has spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam and assured all help and support. The Chief Minister would be expected to visit the spot to review the current situation. However, the cause of the leakage is yet to be identified.
PM Narendra Modi has spoken to Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam. He assured all help and support: Prime Minister's Office. #VizagGasLeak pic.twitter.com/aOelkNxi9N
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020
President Ram Nath Kovind has extended his condolences to the families of the victims and he stated that he prays for the recovery of the injured and safety of all.
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