Andhra Pradesh CM meets Vizag gas leak injured. (Source: CMO AP)
Vizag Gas Leak update: At least 11 people, including a minor, are reported to have died following a leakage of styrene gas at LG Polymers' Vizag plant in the early hours of Thursday. According to reports another 1,000 people reported sick after the gas spread in five villages within a three-km radius of the plant. Close to 200 people were rushed to hospitals for treatment after complaining of breathing difficulties and burning sensation in their eyes, according to early reports .
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "closely monitoring" the situation in Visakhapatnam and had spoken to officials in the Home Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). PM Modi also held a meeting of the NDMA to take stock of the situation.
09:43 PM
Chilling scenes bring back memories of Bhopal tragedy
Heart-wrenching scenes of anxious parents carrying their wards in arms, health workers scrambling to help the affected and fleeing residents were witnessed on Thursday as the enormity of the situation forced them to ignore social distancing and other precautions against coronavirus.
Many collapsed on roads and kerbs trying to flee from the affected areas in a five km radius, bringing back grim memories of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.
09:39 PM
AITUC demands inquiry into Vizag gas leak, compensation for victims
The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) on Thursday demanded an inquiry into the Vishakhapatnam gas leak and stringent action against the guilty.
The union also demanded compensation for victims of the accident.
09:37 PM
NGT to take up Vizag gas leak case on Friday
The National Green Tribunal on Thursday took cognisance on its own about the Visakhapatnam gas leak incident killing at least 11 people and impacting about 1,000, many collapsing to the ground as they tried to escape the toxic vapours.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel will take up on Friday the matter titled "In re: Gas Leak at LG Polymers Chemical Plant in RR Venkatapuram Village Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh".
09:37 PM
After Vizag gas leak, Centre asks chemical firms to exercise caution when reopening plants
After deadly styrene gas leak in Visakhapatnam, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Thursday urged all public and private chemical makers to exercise caution and care while reopening their plants.
09:37 PM
Vizag gas leak: Company would be asked to explain, says AP Industries Minister
Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister M Goutham Reddy on Thursday said the state government is airlifting 500 kg of inhibitors as a foolproof safety measure to neutralize the chemical substances in the Visakhapatnam gas leak incident.
09:37 PM
Immediately evacuate everyone from impact zone of styrene gas leak: environmentalists
Environmentalists have advised that there must be immediate evacuation of everyone from areas in proximity to the factory in Vishakhapatnam where a styrene gas leak took place as the chemical is highly toxic and causes severe health impact both in the short and long terms.
Sunita Narain, director general at the Centre for Science, said styrene can be more dangerous if it reacts with oxygen in the air and converts into Styrene di-oxide.
09:36 PM
Prez, political parties condole loss of lives in gas leak tragedy; Modi assures all help
The early morning gas leak tragedy in Visakhapatnam on Thursday shocked the country with the president, vice president and the prime minister besides different political parties condoling the loss of lives and calling for providing all possible help to the affected people.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu expressed their sadness over the incident, which left at least 11 persons dead and exposed over 1,000 people living in the affected region to styrene vapour leaking from a chemical plant, and offered prayers for an early recovery of the injured.
08:55 PM
Vizag gas leak: Police registers criminal case against plant management
The management of a chemical plant near here where a gas leak left 11 people dead and hundreds hospitalised on Thursday was booked on charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing death by negligence police said. In a related development, the Andhra Pradesh High Court took cognizance of the styrene gas leak and issued notices to the state and the Central governments, while observing how such a plant was allowed to operate in the midst of human habitations. Hours after the fatal early morning leak, the Gopalapatnam police registered the case against the management of the LG Polymers Ltd under Indian Penal Code sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life and personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt).
08:44 PM
Boiler explosion in NLC India's thermal power plant injures eight workers
A boiler explosion in NLC India's thermal power plant in Neyveli injured 8 workers on Thursday evening. This comes on the same day when a gas leak at a polymer factory in Vizag claimed the lives of 11 people and created panic in the region. According to sources, the incident occurred in the Unit 6 boiler of NLC India's second thermal power station on Thursday at 5 pm. The pressure build-up inside the boiler resulted in a fire ball for just a few seconds, affecting the feeding conveyor. Eight people, who were working in the area, were injured and were taken to NLC's hospital and later shifted to Kauvery Hospital in Trichy. Read More
08:25 PM
Immediately evacuate everyone from impact zone of styrene gas leak: environmentalists
Environmentalists have advised that there must be immediate evacuation of everyone from areas in proximity to the factory in Vishakhapatnam where a styrene gas leak took place as the chemical is highly toxic and causes severe health impact both in the short and long terms. Sunita Narain, director general at the Centre for Science, said styrene can be more dangerous if it reacts with oxygen in the air and converts into Styrene di-oxide. She said evacuation of people is needed and advised them to wear wet masks to protect themselves. According to India's Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989, styrene is classified as a 'hazardous and toxic chemical'.
