At least 8 people including 2 children have died, with over 5000 hospitalised after a gas leakage at the LG Polymers chemical plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India.
The gas leak was said to have started around 2am on Thursday and spread to the neighbouring areas, for up to 4 kms from the plant, according to the police.
Reports say that people exposed to the gas are having a burning sensation in the eyes. “People have passed out after inhaling the gas. Even our (police personnel) eyes are still burning and we feel nauseous,” SI Venkat Rao said.
Most people are being taken to King George Hospital, while some are being moved to private hospitals if needed, he said.
In a tweet, Srijana Gummalla, Commissioner of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), said, “Primary report is PVC gas (or Styrene) leaked from LG Polymers, Vepagunta near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam at around 2:30 am today. Because of the leakage of the said compound gas, hundreds of people have inhaled it and either fell unconscious or having breathing issues”.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1258249236002603008
These visuals coming in from #Visakhapatnam district show the impact of the #gasleak. Several ambulances taking those affected to the hospital. @FilterKaapiLive pic.twitter.com/xFWGRxRZrS
— T S Sudhir (@Iamtssudhir) May 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/i/status/1258295558843715584
