Visakhapatnam Gas Leak Live Updates: 11 dead, leakage found in chemical tank left unattended during lockdown

Gas Leak in Visakhapatnam: A major gas leak at LG Polymer chemical plant in Visakhapatnam has left hundreds sick and at least 11 dead. Follow live updates from Vizag:

Hundreds have fallen ill after a major gas leak at a chemical plant in Visakhapattnam. (Image: PTI)

HIGHLIGHTS

A major gas leak has happened at a chemical plant in Vizag
Hundreds have fallen ill with complaints of vomiting, headache
800 have been hospitalised and nearby villages have been evacuated

Amajor gas leak at the LG Polymers chemical plant in Visakhapatnam has left 11 people dead, including a child. Hundreds of villagers were rushed to nearby hospitals in Visakhapatnam with complaints of headache, vomiting and breathing problems.

The Visakhapatnam gas leak took place at LG Polymers chemical plant around 2.30 am on Thursday. The death toll has now gone up to 11 and the evacuation process is still on in the nearby areas.

Horrific videos and photos surfacing from the nearby villages show scores of people lying unconscious on the roads. Many were seen trying to reach ambulances with unconscious children in their arms.

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON THE VIZAG GAS LEAK:

6.31 PM: The investigation has found that the gas leaked from the chemical tank that had been unattended since March due to Covid-19 lockdown. It led to a chemical reaction, and the heat was produced inside the tanks, which caused leakage.

6.25 PM: A petition has been filed in the National Green Tribunal in the matter, demanding an investigation into the incident by a high-level inquiry committee and scientists.

5.34 PM: Centre has granted permission to LG Polymers India Pvt Ltd to airlift 500 kg of Para-tertiary butyl catechol (PTBC) chemical from Daman for neutralising the gas leakage in Visakhapatnam plant. The chemical has already been dispatched to Vizag along with the movement of chemical handling experts from NDRF unit, Pune.

The MHA is monitoring the situation and extending all the assistance required by the AP government, an official statement has said.

3.42 PM: CM Jagan Mohan Reddy meets LG plant management at the airport lounge to seek an explanation for the chemical leak.

3.20 PM: “500 kg of Para-tertiary butyl catechol (PTBC) chemical will be airlifted from Daman by Andhra Pradesh govt for neutralising the gas leakage in Visakhapatnam plant,” Ashwani Kumar, Secretary to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

3.15 PM: Local authorities have said 1,000 people were exposed to the leak. Over 3,000 people from the nearby villages were evacuated. And 20-25 are still critical but stable.

3.00 PM: PM Narendra Modi has taken stock of the situation and assured all possible assistance to state Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The prime minister also chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority to assess the situation. The prime minister wrote on Twitter that he spoke with officials of the Union Home Ministry and NDMA regarding the situation "which is being monitored closely." "I pray for everyone's safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam," he said.

2.58 PM: Andhra CM Jaganmohan Reddy has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of those who have died in the gas leak tragedy. Those who are still suffering from the leak will be given Rs 10 lakh while those who have been discharged after treatment will get Rs 1 lakh each.

A 5-member committee will be probing the leak

2.57 PM: Death toll has gone up to 11.

2.55 PM: Vizag collector has said, the leakage concentration of styrene is 1-2.5 µL at 9.30 am in the affected areas. "It must come down to zero. Gas emission still on. Ambulances arrived at affected Venkatapuram around 5 am. Authorities could not go in till 5.30-5.45 am because of high concentration of gas," said the collector.

2.50 PM: NDRF Commandant Anupram Srivastava and his team of four will be reaching the gas leak site. NDRF has said the leakage situation is now under control. "We will be there till leakage is totally plugged. Overall, situation is under control. Now it is about rehabilitation and treatment required,"

2.30 PM: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy meets those hospitalized at King George hospital.

2.05 PM: Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has reached Vizag.

2.02 PM: A total of 193 people, including 44 children, have been admitted to the King George's Hospital.

2 PM: One of the victimS of gas leak includes a medical student of Andhra Medical College University. Two children, including a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old are among the dead. A 73-year-old also sucumbed to injuries after falling down.

1.40 PM: Initial investigation reveals a gas valve malfunction led to the valve bursting and causing the massive gas leak that has left at least 10 dead.

1.35 PM: Death toll in the Vizag gas leak incident has gone up to 10.

1.30 PM: The spread of styrene monomer vapours in the air depends on the wind speed and currently personnel are working to neutralise the air with chemicals such as 4-tert-Butylcatechol (TBC), a senior official of the Department of Factories said.

Exposure to styrene, also known as ethenylbenzene, vinylbenzene can affect the central nervous system (CNS), causing headache, fatigue, weakness, and depression.

1.25 PM: LG Chem, based in South Korea, that manages the LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam, has said, "The gas leak situation is now under control and we are exploring all ways to provide speedy treatment for those who suffer from inhaling the leaked gas. We are investigating the extent of damage and exact cause of the leak and deaths."

1 PM: Former Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu writers to Centre, seeks immediately closing down of the LG Polymers unit. Naidu has also sought a thorough enquiry into the gas leakage. He has said, "Post enquiry, shift the entire unit to Special Economic Zone (SEZ) that has no population in the vicinity."

12.45 PM: Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister MG Reddy says, “The company managing the LG Polymers plant has to be responsible for the gas leak. They will have to come and explain exactly what all protocols were followed, and what all were not followed. Accordingly, criminal action will be taken against them.”

12.40 PM: Right now gas has been neutralised. One of the antidote is drinking a lot of water. Around 800 were shifted to hospital, many have been discharged. Investigation will be carried out to see how this happened: Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang.

12.30 PM: "Over 800 people have been hospitalised. The gas has been neutralised now," says Andhra DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang.

12.20 PM: “The gas leak was an accident. They were strictly following all protocols. Investigation underway. Forensic teams are also being sent to the spot,” says Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang.

11.50 AM: GVMC officials are blowing water in the chemical plant vicinity to reduce the effects of the gas leak.

11.35 AM: PM Modi's meeting with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has started to discuss the situation in Visakhapatnam.

11.30 AM: Eight people have died due to the massive gas leak in Visakhapatnam. Among the dead is an 8-year-old child.

11.25 AM: President Ram Nath Kovind says, "Saddened by the news of gas leak in a plant near Visakhapatnam which has claimed several lives. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the recovery of the injured and the safety of all."

11.20 AM: Train movement has been stopped near the Vishakapatnam gas plant after the leakage. Train movement near Simhachalam station has been stopped. Trains are being diverted and some are being regulated.

11.15 AM: “Locals reported throat and skin irritation and some toxic infection, then police and administration came into action. About 1000-1500 people have been evacuated, of which more than 800 people have been taken to hospital,” said SN Pradhan, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) DG.

11 AM: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: Painful news from Visakhapatnam. I am deeply pained by the loss of lives due to the tragic incident. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for the safety and well-being of all the people in Visakhapatnam.

10.40 AM: PM Modi speaks to Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy, assures all help.

10.35 AM: Chandrababu Naidu: Shocked to learn about the death of 3 people & hundreds being affected by a gas leak from a plant near Visakhapatnam. TDP leaders and cadre must be readily available to help people in distress. I urge everyone to take necessary precautions as advised by the officials.

10.30 AM: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “The incident in Visakhapatnam is disturbing. Have spoken to the NDMA officials and concerned authorities. We are continuously and closely monitoring the situation. I pray for the well-being of the people of Visakhapatnam.”

10.23 AM: CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will leave for Vizag and visit King George Hospital where the affected are being treated. The chief minister is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed the district machinery to take immediate steps and provide all help.

10.20 AM: PMO has tweeted that in the wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam, PM Modi has called for a meeting of the NDMA at 11 AM.

10.17 AM: "There have been seven casualties so far, one of them fell into well while trying to escape. The evacuation operation is still underway. The plant was shut due to the countrywide lockdown," says Andhra Pradesh DGP, DG Sawang to ANI.

10.15 AM: Rahul Gandhi says in a tweet, "I’m shocked to hear about the Vizag gas leak. I urge our Congress workers & leaders in the area to provide all necessary support & assistance to those affected. My condolences to the families of those who have perished. I pray that those hospitalised make a speedy recovery."

10.10 AM: PM Narendra Modi speaks to MHA and NDMA officials on the Visakhapatnam situation.

10.05 AM: GVMC has appealed to locals to wear wet cloth masks and cover their faces in the affected areas.

10 AM: The gas leak took place in a tank with 2,000 metric tons of chemical capacity. Another tank with 3,000 MT chemical was intact. Outside the plant almost around 2,000 people have been affected due to the leak. Many workers were feared present inside the plant at the time of the leak.

9.55 AM: G Kishan Reddy, MoS Home Affairs said, "My condolences to the families of 5 people who passed away due to gas leak at a private firm in Visakhapatnam today. Spoke to the Chief Secretary and DGP of the state to take stock of the situation."

9.50 AM: Around 3,000 people in Venkatapuram area have been evacuated. 170 people have been hospitalised.

9.45 AM: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has inquired about the gas leak in Visakhapatnam and directed the district officials to take every possible step to save lives and bring the situation under control. He will be leaving for Visakhapatnam soon.

9.40 AM: After hours of the leak, ANI quoted Visakhapatnam City Police Commissioner RK Meena as saying, “The gas has been neutralised. NDRF team has reached the spot. Maximum impact of the gas leak was in the 1-1.5 km radius but the smell spread upto 2-2.5 km. Around 100-120 people have been shifted to the hospital.”

An FIR has been registered in the case.

9.30 AM: Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Srijana Gummalla has said, "Primary report is PVC gas (or Styrene) leaked from LG Polymers, Vepagunta near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam at around 2:30 am today."

9.20 AM: Local authorities have said around 150-170 people have been admitted in different government hospitals. Some others are also being taken to private hospitals in Goplapuram.

9 AM: Authorities have said they are preparing beds for around 1500-2000 people.

8.40 AM: The gas leakage was reported at LG Polymers in RRV Puram, Naidu Thota area in the early hours of Thursday. Local administration and personnel of the Indian Navy were pressed into action who evacuated five nearby villages.

8.30 AM: Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has issued a warning for locals and said, "There is gas leakage identified at LG Polymers in Gopalpatnam. Requesting citizens around these locations not to come out of houses for the sake of safety precautions."

8.30 AM: Gummalla said that GVMC is spreading water in the area to subside the effects of the gas leak and has advised people to use masks. "Leave the neighbourhood," the officer said in a tweet.

The hazardous gas leakage has left many ill in the area and this has created panic.

South Korean company LG Polymers makes polystyrene and expandable polystyrene, a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products like toys and appliances. It has been in operation since 1961.

Thursday, 7 May 2020