Eight people were reported dead and 200 others taken ill after a suspected gas leak at a chemical factory at Venkatapuram village in Vishakhapam district of Andhra Pradesh. The leak occurred around 3 am on Thursday at a plant of LG Polymers in RR Venkatapuram village, local media reports said.
Fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles were rushed to the spot after the incident came to light. The exact cause of the leak is yet to be ascertained.
While the AP government has not officially released any statement of the casualties as of now, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation tweeted, “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.”
Union home minister Amit Shah tweeted, “The incident in Vizag is disturbing. Have spoken to the NDMA officials and concerned authorities. We are continuously and closely monitoring the situation. I pray for the well-being of the people of Visakhapatnam.”
Local media reports said people in nearby areas also complained of eye irritations and breathing issues. The incident has resulted in widespread panic in the three-kilometre radius of the plant.
Fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles were rushed to the spot after the incident came to light. The exact cause of the leak is yet to be ascertained.
While the AP government has not officially released any statement of the casualties as of now, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation tweeted, “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.”
Union home minister Amit Shah tweeted, “The incident in Vizag is disturbing. Have spoken to the NDMA officials and concerned authorities. We are continuously and closely monitoring the situation. I pray for the well-being of the people of Visakhapatnam.”
Local media reports said people in nearby areas also complained of eye irritations and breathing issues. The incident has resulted in widespread panic in the three-kilometre radius of the plant.