Vizag gas tragedy: Film fraternity prays for victims

Celebrities from the Hindi and Telugu film industry expressed grief over the gas leak disaster in Vizag on Thursday that reminded everyone of the 1984 Bhopal tragedy.

Mumbai: Tragedy struck Andhra Pradesh early on Thursday as gas leaked from the LG Polymers India plant in Visakhapatnam. The official death toll in the city went up to 9. The dead include an 8-year old girl and 2 senior citizens. As the incident has left the nation grief-struck, celebrities took to social media to extend condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the affected victims.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher: "Deeply saddened by the death of #VizagGasLeak victims. My heart goes out to their families. My heartfelt condolences. I am praying for the people affected by this tragedy."

Actor Sidharth Malhotra: "Its really sad that the people of Vizag have to face this situation, while already fighting another one. More power to those fighting the gas leak & praying for a speedy recovery of the ones affected. Stay safe & strong. #VizagGasLeak"

Actor Pranita Subhash: "#VizagGasLeak news is just heart wrenching Persevering face.. My prayers with the families of the bereaved.. #PrayForVizag 2020 - I’m just speechlessCrying face🙏🏻"

Telugu actor-turned-producer Ram Charan: "Heartbreaking to see the visuals of #VizagGasLeak. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who are no more. I hope all necessary measures are taken to make sure the affected people recover at the earliest. My thoughts and prayers with the people of Vizag. 🙏🏼🙏🏼"

"Heartbreaking news !! Hope the government is doing its best to contain the situation. Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse this happens. My prayers to all the people of Vizag. God help them all 🙏🏻 #VizagGasLeak," tweeted Akhil Akkineni.

Actor Allu Sirish wrote: "Heartbreaking to know about the #VizagGasLeak. My condolences to those families who have lost lives and my sincere prayers for the speedy recovery of those affected."

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Baahubali fame director SS Rajamouli wrote: "Deeply disturbed by the visuals from the #VizagGasLeak. Praying for the recovery of those admitted to the hospital. Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their near and dear ones."

Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu wrote: "Heart-wrenching to hear the news of #VizagGasLeak, more so during these challenging times... Heartfelt condolences and strength to the bereaved families in this hour of need. Wishing a speedy recovery to those affected. My prayers for you... Stay safe VIZAG."

Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi request concerned authorities to "take utmost care while opening Industries post lockdown."

Telugu actior Allu Arjun wrote: "It’s really heartbreaking to see Vizag which one of the most special places in my life in such a state. I am deeply saddened by this horrific accident. Condolences to families who have lost their lives and hoping for a speedy recovery for the rest."

Queen actor Kangana Ranaut's team also posted her condolences on Twitter.

Bala actor Bhumi Pednekar also took to Twitter to express grief over the incident and said, "Deeply pained to hear about the Visakhapatnam Gas Leak. I'm praying for the safety and well-being of everyone there."

Actor Arjun Kapoor also took to Twitter to extend condolences to the affected families.

Highway actor Randeep Hooda also tweeted about the incident and said, "my heart goes to all the people affected by the #VizagGasLeak."

Film director Karan Johar tweeted, "saddened and pained to know of the #Vishakapatnam gas leak...prayers."

Film producer Bhushan Kumar also took to Twitter to express sorrow over the gas leak incident.

Ayushmann Khurrana too extended condolences to the affected families. The 35-year-old took to Twitter to express grief over the deadly incident.

Andhra Pradesh's DGP, Gautam Sawang said that of the 246 people currently receiving treatment, 20 are on ventilators. Reports from other hospitals are also indicating that the condition of the hospitalised persons is gradually improving.

Meanwhile the survivors undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Visakhpatnam recounted their near-death encounter after the gas leak started around 2.30 a.m., while most of them were in deep slumber.

LG Polymers, is among India's leading manufacturer of polystyrene and expandable polystyrene. The plant located at Visakhapatnam, belongs to the Mumbai-based LG Polymers India, which is part of the South Korean group LG Chemical. Originally set up in 1961, as Hindustan Polymers for manufacturing polystyrene and its co-polymers, the company was merged with McDowell & Co Ltd of UB Group in 1978. It ultimately became part of the South Korean group LG Chemical, in 1997.