Hundreds of people complained of breathlessness, eye irritation and abdominal pain after the gas leak. People from all the villages around the plant have been shifted to safer places.
 GVMC has asked people to leave colonies and villages around LG Polymers for safer locations. (Photo | G Satyanarayana, EPS) |
Visakhapatnam: Ten people have died and at least 200 people are hospitalized after a gas leak from a plant belonging to LG Korean company LG Polymer at Venkatapuram near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam early Thursday. Stalin, a flammable liquid used to make polystyrene plastic, rubber and latex, leaked from a chamber in the unit around 3.00 am when people were sleeping.
Hundreds of people, within a radius of 5 km from the plant, fled outside in panic as poisonous fumes spread to Venkatapuram and nearby villages. Many people fell unconscious on the streets. King George Hospital (KGH) has 45 children out of 190 admitted to various wards. The condition of six of them children is critical. The doctors are using equipment used by naval personnel. Through this, oxygen can be provided to six members at a time. About 200 doctors are currently on duty.
Locals told The New Indian Express that they did not initially know what was happening. The district administration dispatched ambulances and shifted the affected to the nearest hospitals. The majority were admitted to King George Hospital.
Ambulances, RTC buses, autos and four-wheelers were pressed into service and many were seen running with unconscious children, crying for help. What is not known is the fate of those who slept in their homes. Many cattle were also found dead on the streets.
Police, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force personnel and even the Navy were deployed in rescue operations. People within five km radius were advised to cover their nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the tragedy and directed the Collector to leave no stone unturned to help the affected and bring the situation under control. Jagan is visiting Vizag to meet the affected people and take stock of the situation.
Police, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force personnel and even the Navy were deployed in rescue operations. People within five km radius were advised to cover their nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over the tragedy and directed the Collector to leave no stone unturned to help the affected and bring the situation under control. Jagan is visiting Vizag to meet the affected people and take stock of the situation.
District Collector Vinay Chand told the media that he had spoken to the management of the company and was informed that the gas leak could be plugged in a couple of hours. The collector said, "We received the first notice around 4.15 am. We estimate about 200 people may have been affected."
According to official sources, three died in Venkatapuram while fleeing to escape the toxic smoke. Five people were declared dead at King George Hospital.
Commissioner of Police RK Meena said that there were 1,000-1500 people at the LG polymer plant at the time of the accident, but clarified that none of them had died.
According to official sources, three died in Venkatapuram while fleeing to escape the toxic smoke. Five people were declared dead at King George Hospital.
Commissioner of Police RK Meena said that there were 1,000-1500 people at the LG polymer plant at the time of the accident, but clarified that none of them had died.
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