In an early morning industrial misfortune today, chemical leakage from an industry caused sickness among local people in Gopalapatnam area in Visakhapatnam. The toxic leak took place at LG Polymers located at RR Venkatapuram. At a conservative estimate, nine people have died and nearly 1,000 have fallen sick after a toxic gas leaked out around 3 am at LG Polymers industry at RR Venkatapuram on Thursday morning.
The incident led to panic among locals in the 3 km-radius area.Disturbing photos posted on social media showed at least a hundred people trying to help the injured and putting them into waiting ambulances. People can be seen wearing masks and helping those who are showing signs of difficulty in breathing.People living near the chemical gas plant reported the symptoms of burning sensation in their eyes and difficulty in breathing.
What exactly happened?
Local revenue official B. V. Rani said she got a call at around 4 a.m. Thursday from a panicking police sub-inspector near the spot. “He asked me to come to the spot immediately,” said Rani.When she reached there, she saw people lying unconscious in the village adjoining the 60-acre site of the plant.“I helped more than 15 people get to an ambulance who had tried to run away from the village but dropped down a few metres away,” she said. Some volunteers aerated the unconscious people and others rushed to carry them into ambulances.
Owner of the facility stated
South Korean battery maker LG Chemical Ltd, the owner of the facility, maintained that the gas leak has been brought under control. “We are looking into the exact damages, cause of the death and details of the incident,” the company said in a statement.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation tweeted about the incident:
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.
— Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) (@GVMC_OFFICIAL) May 7, 2020
As precautionary measures, the colonies and villages around the industry may leave to the safer locations. PLEASE USE WET CLOTH AS MASK TO COVER NOSE AND MOUTH.
— Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) (@GVMC_OFFICIAL) May 7, 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a meeting of the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), in wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were also present in the meeting.
“I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam,” Modi said in a tweet.
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
LG Polymers India Private Limited (LGPI)
The LG Polymers plant manufactures polystyrene products which are used in manufacturing electric fan blades, cups and cutlery and containers for cosmetic products such as makeup.The raw material, styrene, is highly flammable and releases a poisonous gas when burnt.LG Chem said that the gas emitted in the leak can cause nausea and dizziness when inhaled.Thursday’s incident evoked memories of a gas leak at Union Carbide factory in Bhopal in 1984.
