several people fainted beside the roads, in houses and suffering from severe breathing problems after inhaling the toxic gases released form LG Polymers in Visakhapatnam.
WEB DESK
At least eight people were killed and several hundreds fell ill as an alleged gas leak from LG polymers company in Venkatapuram and near by villages in Gopalapatnam area in Vishakhapatnam in the wee hours today.
Panic stricken people initially ran out of their homes towards Meghadrigedda.
Several hundreds of people complained of breathlessness, irritation in eyes and stomach pain following leakage of gas.
According to District collector, Vinay Chand, affected persons were shifted to KGH.
Around three hundred beds kept ready as a precautionary measure.
People from all villages around the plant have been shifted to safer places.
They have been advised to put wet cloth on their faces so that they do not inhale obnoxious gas.
Meanwhile, revenue and police officials swung into relief operations. Reasons for cause of the incident is not known immediately.
Local MP, MVV Satyanarayana & state minister for tourism M. Srinivasarao have visited the spot.
According to officials, accident occurred in styrene gas chamber during recommissioning of LG polymer unit at Gopalapatnam.
Initially, Plant safety personnel tried to control it by spraying water. But the leak was beyond their control, officials said.
Styrene is a flammable liquid that is used to make polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex.
Chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy is reaching Vishakhapatnam to monitor the rescue operations personally.
Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhushan Harichandan expressed shock on the accident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam.
PMO in a tweet said that Mr Modi has assured all help and support.
In the wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam, PM has also called for a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority in a short while from now.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences to the families of deceased in the Visakhapatnam Gas leak mishap.
Terming the incident as disturbing, Mr Shah said that Home Ministry is continuously and closely monitoring the situation.
He informed that he has spoken to NDMA officials and concerned authorities and has asked them to provide all required assistance to the State to tackle the situation.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Kishan Reddy expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased due to the gas leak at a Private firm in Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh today.
Mr. Reddy interacted with the Chief Secretary and DGP of the State and took stock of the situation.
He has instructed NDRF teams to provide necessary relief measures.
Mr. Reddy also spoke to the Union Home Secretary and has asked him to provide all the required assistance to the state.