Visakhapatanam gas leak: Death toll reaches 11, CM Jagan announces compensation

17:15 May 07

Long-term health effects due to styrene vapour exposure less: AIIMS director

The chances of long-term health effects because of exposure to styrene vapour, which leaked from a chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, are less and illnesses caused by the gas is not universally fatal, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said on Thursday.

As far as treatment is concerned, there is no specific antidote or a definite medicine for reversing the effect of this compound. The therapy remains mainly supportive, he said.

A large number of people have been admitted to hospital. Most of them are in a stable condition and hopefully will make a good recovery, Dr Guleria told reporters here.          

16:17 May 07

16:16 May 07

The High Court of Andhra Pradesh issues notice to state and centre governments following the Styrene gas leak from a chemical plant which killed at least 10 people including a minor, in Visakhapatanam.

According to reports, the high court took cognizance of the matter and expressed doubt as to how such an industry exist in highly populated area. More details awaited.  

Meanwhile, 500 kg of Para-tertiary butyl catechol (PTBC) chemical will be airlifted from Daman by Andhra Pradesh govt for neutralizing the gas leakage. 

15:45 May 07

15:15 May 07

CM Jagan Mohan Reddy announces Rs. 1 crore compensation

Addressing the media after meeting with the victims of gas leak incident, chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced a total of Rs. 1 crore as compensation to be paid to the families of the deceased.  

Besides, total of Rs. 25000 will be given as compensation for primary treatment and Rs. 10 lakhs for those who need ventilator support.  

Jagan also announced Rs. 10,000 for around 15,000 local residents who now stand affected following the toxic gas leak. The state administration has also ordered setting up of several medical camps in and around villages which neighbour LG polymer plant.  

15:06 May 07

Leakage minimal, 1,000 people evacuated: NDRF 

Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) S N Pradhan said leakage from the factory is now minimal but the NDRF personnel will be at the spot till it is totally plugged.

As of now 10 people have lost their lives due to the gas leak, he said at a hurriedly convened press conference here.

Member of the National Disaster Management Authority Kamal Kishore said that about 1,000 people living in nearby areas of the factory have been exposed to the gas leak.

Pradhan said 500 people belonging to 200-250 families living in 3 km radius have been evacuated to the safer places.

14:36 May 07

Expert NRDF team from Pune to review ground situation

In a joint press briefing by the NDMA and NRDF, the DG of KDRF said about 200-250 families evacuated. An expert team carried out door-to-door rescue operations. The NDRF will stay back till situation is absolutely under control. The confirmed death toll is nine. NDRF will assist local administration till it is required.  

"An expert team from Pune will be flying in to assist the situation," DG said.

It is a chemical disaster the response requires expertise on chemical side, on chemical management side, on medical side as well as on the evacuation side. Prime Minister took stock of what across the board response should be: National Disaster Management Authority 

14:24 May 07

NHRC Issues Notices To Centre & A.P. Govt 

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter including status of the rescue operation, medical treatment provided to the people fallen sick and relief and rehabilitation provided by the state authorities to the affected families.

A notice has also been issued to the Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh to inform within four weeks about registration of FIRs in the matter and status of the investigation being conducted.

The Commission also considered it appropriate to bring the matter to the notice of the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs and has asked through its Secretary to examine whether the norms laid down under relevant provisions of the law are being implemented at the particular industrial unit and to submit a report to the Commission.

14:09 May 07

Andhra Pradesh CM M Jagan Reddy reaches Vizag

Chief minister Jagan Reddy reaches Visakhapatnam and visits gas leak victims at King George Hospital. 

13:39 May 07

Spread of poisonous vapours depends on wind speed: Officials

Spread of poisonous vapours depends on wind speed: Officials  

The spread of styrene monomer vapours in the air depends on the wind speed and currently personnel are working to neutralise the air with chemicals such as 4-tert-Butylcatechol (TBC

"The officials are using inhibitors to neutralise the vapours. Slowly the vapours are reducing. It was not arrested fully. They are using neutralisers such as TBC (4-tert-Butylcatechol (TBC)," Joint Chief Inspector of Factories, Visakhapatnam, J Siva Sankar Reddy said.

Exposure to styrene, also known as ethenylbenzene, vinylbenzene can affect the central nervous system (CNS), causing headache, fatigue, weakness, and depression.

13:36 May 07

Indian Navy supplies oxygen manifolds

Indian Navy provides five more portable Multifeed Oxygen Manifolds sets to King George Hospital were the affected are being treated following the leak. According to reports, techncial team from Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam (NDV) are at hospital to assist in quick installation to provide oxygen to hundreds suffering from breathing difficulties.

The Portable Multifeed Oxygen Manifold system were designed by NDV to enable one jumbo size oxygen bottle to supply oxygen to six patients, amidst COVID-19 Pandemic.  

13:20 May 07

Gas neutralised, water being used as antidote: DGP

Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang: Right now gas has been neutralised. One of the antidote is drinking a lot of water. Around 800 were shifted to hospital, many have been discharged. Investigation will be carried out to see how this happened:  

"Gas leak in Visakhapatanam is an accident. They were strictly following all protocols. Investigation is underway. Forensic teams are also being sent to the spot," said DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang.

13:08 May 07

CM Jagan to visit King George Hospital shortly where the affected are being treated. 

13:00 May 07

List of victims of gas leak tragedy

A total of eight people including a minor were reportedly brought death to the hospital following the toxic gas leak in LG polymer plant in Visakhapatanam, Andhra Pradesh.

According to reports, a list released by the local administration a person yet to be identified was among the list of victims. Around 200 people have been hospitalised with breathing difficulties ranging from mild to severe conditions. 

12:25 May 07

12:19 May 07

Company responsible for not maintaining protocol: Industries minister  

"The burden of proof lies with the company. If we find that anybody has not followed the protocols we will initiate criminal actions," 

12:09 May 07

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a meeting of the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), in wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also present.

11:54 May 07

Working President of TRS and Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, KT Rama Rao expresses condolences to Vizag gas leak victims. 

11:47 May 07

A special chemical accident team continues search and evacuation work assisting local people and the administration on site. The dead included a child while scores of policemen who rushed to evacuate affected persons also were impacted by the leak of styrene.

Tragically, two of the victims met with their end after falling into a borewell while fleeing their affected village and their bodies were found later in the day.

The daybreak saw some grim scenes as visibly suffering people were being rushed for medical assistance in autos and two-wheelers while government workers tried to assist them with whatever first aid possible.

People lying on roadside and near ditches in unconscious state narrated the magnitude of the situation, as the government said arresting the leak was the first priority.

Visakhapatnam district Joint Collector Venugopal Reddy said people from R R Venkatapuram village have been fully evacuated and shifted to other places.

11:41 May 07

President Kovind expressed his condolences following the gas leak incident. 

11:37 May 07

11:26 May 07

80-90% evacuation complete

Total 27 NDRF person involved in relief and rescue operation are experts in dealing with industrial leakage. According to NDRF DG, 80 to 90 percent evacuation is complete.

11:20 May 07

Union Home Minister monitors situation in Vizag. According to latest update, around 1000 people have been evacuated from the site of the incident. 

11:17 May 07

Chandrababu Naidu expresses shock over gas leak incident

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday expressed shock over the gas leak incident in Visakhapatnam and urged residents of the city to take necessary precautions.  

In a tweet, Naidu said leaders and cadre must be readily available to help people in distress.

11:10 May 07

1000-1500 people evacuated

According to SN Pradhan, NDRF DGP, local residents reported throat and skin irritation following which the police and the state administration sprung into action. "About 1000-1500 people have been evacuated, of which more than 800 people have been taken to hospital," Pradhan said. 

10:54 May 07

Gas leak: PM convenes meeting of NDMA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority in the wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam following a gas leak incident, the Prime Minister's Office said.

The meet has been convened at 11.00 am, the PMO tweeted.

10:43 May 07

10:23 May 07

PM Modi reviews major gas leak situation in Visakhapatnam

"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.

10:16 May 07

People in Gopalapatnam area, where the chemical plant is located, complained of irritation in eyes, breathlessness, nausea and rashes on their bodies. District Collector V Vinay Chand said close to 70 people have been admitted to the King George Hospital after for treatment, he said.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have rushed to the spot. Reports claim the gas leak has been contained.

09:42 May 07

The effects of the deadly gas leak which has led to hospitalisation of around 200 residents with breathing difficulties. A total of 22 cattle, 6 dogs and cat died following the leak. According to reports, officials are treating 62 sick cattles. The state veterinary department has formed 12 groups to provide medical assistance to livestock. 

09:41 May 07

The LG Polymer plant was preparing to open today after almost 40 days. According to latest reports, the gas leak has spread to areas in the radius of 5 km.

Set up in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers, the company was taken over by South Korea's LG Chem and renamed as LG Polymers India in 1997. The plant makes polystyrene and expandable polystyrene, a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products like toys and appliances.

09:22 May 07

As precautionary measures, the villagers around the industry are being taken to safer locations. According to reports, the administration asked residents to use wet cloth as mask to cover nose and mouth.

07:32 May 07

Visakhapatanam gas leak: Death toll reaches 11, CM Jagan announces compensation

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): At least eight persons, including a child, died following a gas leak from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Thursday.

"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," the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation informed.

Hundreds of people inhaled the gas and either fell unconscious or are having breathing issues, GVMC commissioner Srijana Gummalla said.

Many people also complained of burning sensation in the eyes and breathing difficulties are being rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, police, fire tenders, and ambulances have reached the spot. The chemical gas leakage from the industry has spread across three kilometres, West Zone ACP Swaroopa Rani informed. 

The GVMC has advised people staying around the industry to move to safer locations.

"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," GVMC said in a tweet.

Gummalla further said that the GVMC is trying to subside the effect by blowing water through most blowers.

Public address systems have also been pressed into service asking people to use masks after wetting them in water.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy reportedly enquired about the incident and has directed the Visakhapatnam district collector to ensure proper medical care for the affected people.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)