Reports are coming in from Vishakapatnam that a gas leak LG Polymers industry at RR Venkatapuram near the Naiduthota area took place at 3.00 AM today. As per news coming from the ground 10 people, including an 8-year old girl have died and 5000 people have fallen sick. The Vizag based factory was trying to open post lockdown when this incident occurred. The industry was doing maintenance activity, and the gas broke out.
The incident has left many with rashes, sore eyes, breathing difficulties, and many were lying unconscious on the roads. The exact cause of the leak is yet to be identified.
The National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have been called to initiate rescue operations in the area.
The Prime Minister has offered support to the State in response to the gas leak
PM @narendramodi has spoken to Andhra Pradesh CM Shri @ysjagan regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam. He assured all help and support.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 7, 2020
Spoke to officials of MHA and NDMA regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely.
I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 7, 2020
Hundreds of people were rushed to hospitals, both private and government, with the help of locals. According to doctors, the death toll is likely to not increase. There were 128 people from Venkatapuram alone who were shifted to hospitals and 98 of them have recovered. About 1000-1500 people have been evacuated. At least 1,000 people had been sent to different hospitals, and that it was feared many others may be unconscious in their homes, SN Pradhan, DG, NDRF.
Former Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu writes to Centre seeks immediately closing down of the LG Polymers unit. Naidu has also sought a thorough inquiry into the gas leakage. He has said, “Post inquiry, shift the entire unit to Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that has no population in the vicinity.”
Vizag Gas Leak #Helpline
Please refer to our help desk numbers. pic.twitter.com/6maDvKy3wQ— Mekapati Goutham Reddy Official (@MekapatiGoutham) May 7, 2020
South Korean company managing this has to be responsible for the 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.
Andhra Pradesh DGP, Damodar Goutam Sawang, says that the Vizag gas leak is an accident. “They were strictly following all protocols. Investigation underway. Forensic teams are also being sent to the spot.”
#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
Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has left for Vizag and is likely to visit patients in the hospitals
