Visakhapatnam Gas Leak: Hundreds Fall Sick, Heartbreaking Pictures Surface

While people are already facing the coronavirus pandemic, another unfortunate incident took place in Andhra Pradesh’s Vishakhapatnam district. Chemical gas leaked from a chemical factory named LG Polymers at RR Venkatapuram village, leaving 8 dead and hundreds falling sick within a 3-km radius of the area.

Source

According to the sources, Visakhapatnam Gas Leak happened at 3 am on Thursday. The workers were preparing to open the plant when the gas started leaking. Most of the affected people are young children and elders.

It is being reported that locals in the area complained of burning sensation in eyes and difficulty in breathing.

The police and fire and emergency services are evacuating a 5-km radius area. Vizag Collector V Vinay Chand told the media, “The situation is being monitored with NDRF and SDRF officials at work. We are doing everything possible.”

While the cause of the gas leak has not been certain, it is being said that Styrene gas escaped from the facility which was shut due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Disturbing Images of Visakhapatnam Gas Leak Tragedy

Hundreds of sick people have been sent to King George Hospital in the city. After the incident, heartbreaking pictures and videos have come up on the internet.

Eyewitnesses said that they saw people lying unconscious on roads, streets, and ditches. The incident is also being compared to the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, one of the most unfortunate industrial disasters in Indian history, leaving thousands of dead.

PM Modi Takes Steps

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted on the situation. He said, “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.”

Not just this, the PM also called for a meeting with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to discuss the situation in the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Other prominent leaders like Home Minister Amit Shah, former Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi have also tweeted regarding the unfortunate incident.

Andhra Pradesh Police has also released preventive measures to be taken during the gas leak:

The gas leaked from LG Polymers which was established in 1961 for the manufacturing of polystyrene and its copolymers. Earlier its name was Hindustan Polymers but it was later merged with McDowell &Co of the UB Group in 1978. In 1997, it was taken over by South Korea-based LG Chem which renamed it as LG Polymers.

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