A chemical gas leakage at LG Polymers industry in Visakhapatnam has killed seven people.
Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) DG Sawang said the incident occurred at around 3.30 am on May 7.
People were taken to the hospital after complaints of burning sensation in eyes and breathing difficulties. The people affected have been taken to King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam.
Police, fire tenders, and ambulances arrived at the LG Polymers industry in Visakhapatnam's RR Venkatapuram village.
Follow our LIVE coverage of the Vizag plant gas Leak
"The evacuation operation is still underway. The plant was shut due to the countrywide lockdown," Sawang told ANI.
RK Meena, Commissioner of Police (CP) Visakhapatnam City, told ANI that the gas has been neutralised, adding that it was a styrene gas leak. He also said an FIR has been registered in the matter.
"Maximum impact was in about 1-1.5 km but smell was in 2-2.5 km. 100-120 people have been shifted to hospital," Meena told ANI.
Meena confirmed that an NDRF team arrived at the scene. He said the village has been evacuated, and the police is now conducting door-to-door searches.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) West Zone Visakhapatnam told News18 that the gas was leaked out from two 5,000 tonne tanks, which had been unattended since March due to the nationwide lockdown.
"It leads to a chemical reaction, and the heat was produced inside the tanks, which causes leakage," the ACP said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will leave for Visakhapatnam and visit the hospital where the affected individuals are admitted.
"The Chief Minister is closely monitoring the situation and has directed the district officials to take every possible step to save lives and bring the situation under control," the Chief Minister's office said a tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took notice of the situation, saying that he spoke to officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
PM Modi also called for a meeting of the NDMA at 11 am.
PM Modi has also spoken to Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the situation.
Home Minister Amit Shah said he has spoken to NDMA officials and concerned authorities. He also called the incident "disturbing".
Catch all updates on the Vizag gas leak here.
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