Vizag Gas Leak Tragedy : 10 dead, thousands hospitalized ; heart wrenching visuals

Toxic Gas Leak at LG Polymers Plant

Visakhapatnam : At least 10 persons including a child died after toxic gas leak at LG polymers plant located near Vizag city , Andhra Pradesh. At least 1000 people were reportedly admitted to hospital. Thousands of people were evacuated from nearby villages .

The local villagers informed the officials around 3.30 am today about the presence of gas in the air. “Hundreds of people have inhaled it and either fell unconscious or having breathing issues,” Srijana Gummalla, Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation said on Twitter.

The plant operated by LG Polymers was located in the outskirts of Visakhapatnam. The city and the surrounding area were home to around five million people. The plant was shut since late March due to coronavirus lockdown

“We are currently assessing the extent of the damage on residents in the town and are taking all necessary measures to protect residents and employees in collaboration with related organizations,” LG Chem, the owner of LG Polymers, said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the situation is being monitored closely and he spoke to the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and NDMA. “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,” PM Modi tweeted.

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

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah and former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also condoled the deaths of the people.

I’m shocked to hear about the
#VizagGasLeak . 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.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 7, 2020

After gas leakage was reported in the factory, lockdown procedure was initiated immediately. Local admin was informed. Gas was neutralized to harmless liquid form. But, little gas escaped factory premises&affected people in nearby areas: Andhra Pradesh Min MG Reddy. #VizagGasLeak pic.twitter.com/hTuXP9ejd0

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday appealed to people of Visakhapatnam not to panic and cooperate with authorities working to bring under control the situation following a gas leak from a chemical plant there.

Reports of a second leak at #LGPolymers premises are false. Maintenance team was repairing the system and some vapour was let out. There is NO second leak.

— AP Police (@APPOLICE100) May 7, 2020

After a second leak rumor , Vizag police tweeted “Reports of a second leak at LG Polymers premises are false . Maintenance team was repairing the system and some vapoue was let out. There is no second leak.”

Heart wrenching visuals : Vizag Gas Leak

Ram Ram ji ? #VizagGasLeak ? Sad Sad Sad ☹️ Bhagwan give shanti to all victims ? pic.twitter.com/24VkmdqRqt #payalrohatgi

— PAYAL ROHATGI & Team- Bhagwan Ram Bhakts (@Payal_Rohatgi) May 7, 2020

#LGPolymers #Vishakhapatnam : Over 1,000 people fell sick after an alleged gas leak at a #LGPolymers chemical plant .

Let's pray for wellbeing of the Hospitalized ?#VizagGasLeak pic.twitter.com/onleYEgtsb

— UMANG JAIN (@UMANGJAIN__) May 7, 2020

No No No..!! What is Happening???

Just this morning….news of the horryfing #VizagGasLeak at #LGPolymers in Andhra Pradesh!

If You Know what happened after #BhopalGasTragedy in 1984 you'll definitely feel fear after hearing the gas leak in visakhapatnam.!

God help us all.!? pic.twitter.com/Hrl9zKChkJ

— Shreya Agrahari (@I_M_Shreyaa) May 7, 2020

Dead bodies found in canals. #vizaggasleak Gas leaked from #LGpolymers at Gopalapatnam. Eight casualties suspected around 5000 affected Visakhapatnam Andhra pic.twitter.com/qQBQy63dO2

— ＲａｎｊａｎＫＳａｈｏｏ (@Ooranjan) May 7, 2020

Commom man from vizag explains about the incident#VizagGasLeak #Visakhapatnam pic.twitter.com/MAa3AKt44K

— Dis Page Vll Entertain U (@DPVEU_) May 7, 2020

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy enquired about the gas leak incident and directed the district officials to take every possible step to save lives and bring the situation under control. He will visit the hospital where the affected are being treated. The Chief Minister is closely monitoring the situation.

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