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)
