Vizag gas leak highlights: 11 dead, criminal case against plant management

Vizag gas leak: More than 1,000 people in five surrounding villages in a three-km radius have been reported sick. Catch LIVE updates

9:43 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.

9:39 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. 

9:37 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".

 

9:37 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.

9:37 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.

 

9:37 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.

9:36 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.

8:55 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).

8:44 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

8:25 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'.

8:13 PM

Tendulkar,Kohli express anguish over Vizag tragedy

Famous personalities from cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and India captain Virat Kohli to those from the film world expressed their anguish over the gas leak incident here that killed 11 people and left hundreds ill on Thursday, through their respective twitter accounts. "Visuals coming out of Vizag are heartbreaking. Praying for the quick recovery of the people who have been impacted by the gas leak and my deepest condolences with the families who have lost their loved ones," batting great Sachin Tendulkar tweeted. Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli tweeted: "My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the #VizagGasLeak. Praying for everyone affected and recovering in the hospital."

8:02 PM

Shocked and saddened over gas leak incident in Visakhapatnam: South Korea

South Korea on Thursday expressed shock and grief over the gas leak incident at a Visakhapatnam-based chemical plant owned by South Korean petrochemicals giant LG Chem Ltd, calling it "highly unfortunate". At least 11 people were killed and around 1,000 fell sick after toxic styrene gas leaked from the the LG Polymers chemical plant in R R Venkatapuram village in Vishakapatnam in the early hours. "I am shocked and saddened by the news of the accident that occurred at the LG Polymers Plant in Venkatapuram that caused loss of valuable lives and many falling ill," South Korean Ambassador Shin Bong-kil said. "This was a highly unfortunate incident and our deepest condolences go out to those affected by this tragic event. We pray for the speedy recovery of those who have been taken ill," he said in a brief statement.

7:52 PM

I hope and pray for the safety of the people: Irrfan Pathan

Horrific scenes coming from Visakhapatnam I hope and pray for the safety of the people there.

7:42 PM

Vizag Gas Tragedy reminds us of Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Prashant Bhushan

Vizag Gas Tragedy reminds us of Bhopal Gas Tragedy, though it is not as serious. Why should such a hazardous plant be allowed near a crowded residential area? Does the Ministry of Environment have no responsibility?

7:30 PM

Glitch in regfrigeration unit led to gas leak: Official

A technical glitch in the refrigeration unit attached to the two styrene tanks at a chemical plant near here caused the vapour leak that killed 11 people and affected around 1,000 on Thursday, a senior district official said quoting a preliminary report. The leak at the LG Polymers Limited was so intense that a "only around 9.30 am could we understand what exactly it was as the thick fog that formed in the area cleared," District Collector V Vinay Chand said. "Styrene monomer is normally in a liquid state and is safe below a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. But, because of the malfunctioning of the refrigeration unit, the chemical started gasifying," he said, quoting the preliminary report submitted by the Factories Department.

7:21 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation by speaking to officials concerned and assured all possible assistance to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

7:05 PM

Raj CM Gehlot, Dy CM Pilot express grief over Vizag gas leak tragedy

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Thursday expressed grief over the Visakhapatnam gas leak tragedy early on the day that killed at least 11 persons and affected over 1,000 people, leaving them gasping for breath. "Shocked to know about the terrible Vizag gas leak tragedy. My condolences to the bereaved families, who lost their loved ones. May God give them strength to bear this loss. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured," Gehlot said. Deputy Chief Minister Pilot called the incident sad and unfortunate. "It is very sad and unfortunate that many people died in an accident caused by the poisonous gas leaking from the factory of a multinational company in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh," Pilot said.

6:56 PM

Precautions to stay safe from the toxic gas leakag

6:43 PM

Israel expresses 'deepest sympathies' to families of victims of Vizag gas leak

Israel on Thursday expressed its "deepest sympathies" to the families of the victims of the gas leak tragedy in Visakhapatnam and prayed for the early recovery of those affected. "I send my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the #VizaGasLeak and wish a speedy recovery to those injured," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a tweet. "The thoughts and prayers of the people of Israel are with the people of #Visakhapatnam as well as @DrSJaishankar and @AdhraPradeshCM at this time," Katz added.

I send my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the #VizaGasLeak and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. The thoughts and prayers of the people of Israel are with the people of #Visakhapatnam as well as @DrSJaishankar and @AdhraPradeshCM at this time

6:32 PM

Boiler explosion at Neyveli Lignite Corporation in Cuddalore

Boiler explosion at Neyveli Lignite Corporation in Cuddalore. Initial reports suggest 7 people have been injured in the boiler explosion, reports Times Now. 

6:22 PM

PM discussed measures being taken for the safety of affected people: MHA

PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting today morning to take stock of the steps being taken in response to the #VizagGasLeak incident. He discussed at length the measures being taken for the safety of affected people as well as for securing the site affected by the disaster: MHA

6:08 PM

Instil courage among people not to get scared

6:00 PM

Heart breaking to see the visuals of Vizag gas leak: Ram Charan

Heart breaking to see the visuals of #VizagGasLeak. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who are no more. I hope all necessary measures are taken to make sure the affected people recover at the earliest. My thoughts and prayers with the people of Vizag.

Heart breaking to see the visuals of #VizagGasLeak. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who are no more. I hope all necessary measures are taken to make sure the affected people recover at the earliest. My thoughts and prayers with the people of Vizag.

5:54 PM

The loss of lives is always sad and my condolences to the bereaved families: Ravindra Jadeja

The loss of lives is always sad and my condolences to the bereaved families. May god give you strength and I pray for the well being of everyone in the hospital.

5:44 PM

Vizag gas leak: Guj govt to send chemical used as neutraliser

A specialised chemical called PTBC, made only in Vapi town of Gujarat, will be sent to Visakhapatnam on an urgent basis to help in neutralising the effects of gas leak at a polymer plant there, a Gujarat government official said on Thursday. A major leak from a chemical plant of LG Polymers near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh in the wee hours of Thursday impacted villages within a five-km radius, leaving eight people dead and scores of citizens complaining of breathlessness, nausea and other problems. Para-tertiary butyl catechol or PTBC is currently being used in Visakhapatnam to neutralise the effect of the gas leak, said Ashwani Kumar, secretary in the Gujarat chief minister's office.

5:38 PM

Plant produced stuff used to make disposable plastic cutlery

LG Polymers India, the company behind the deadly styrene gas leak in Visakhapatnam that left at least nine dead and hundreds hospitalised, is a subsidiary of leading South Korean chemical firm LG Chem that had entered India in 1997 through the acquisition of a local company. The Vizag plant manufactures polystyrene (PS) that finds wide utility in the food-service industry as rigid trays and containers, disposable utensils, and foamed cups, plates and bowls. The company, according to its website, was established in 1961 as 'Hindustan Polymers' by the Shriram Group for manufacturing PS and its co-polymers at Visakhapatnam. It got merged with MC Dowell & Co Ltd of UB Group in 1978.

5:31 PM

Vizag gas leak: All you need to know

11 persons, including one child, have died after chemical gas leakage of styrene gas at LG Polymers industry in Visakhapatnam this morning. 1,000 people were reported sick after the gas spread in five villages within a three-km radius of the plant at around 3.30am. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was 'closely monitoring' the situation in Visakhapatnam and had spoken to officials in the Union home ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).  Read More

5:25 PM

Naidu writes to Piyush Goyal for medical care for people of Vizag

Wrote to Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal Ji on various issues pertaining to the #VizagGasLeak including bringing in specialists from India & abroad to deliver expert medical care to residents of Visakhapatnam.\: N Chandrababu Naidu 

5:16 PM

In Pics | Andhra CM meets with injured in the gas leak

Andhra Pradesh CM meets Vizag gas leak injured. (Source: CMO AP)

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met with injured in the hospital. (CMO AP)

An ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each to be given to the families of the deceased in the Vizag gas leakage incident.

4:52 PM

Gas leak in Chhattisgarh, seven workers admitted

Seven workers of a Paper Mill hospitalised after being exposed to a gas leak reportedly while cleaning a tank in the mill, 3 of them are in critical condition. Raigarh Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh & Collector Yashwant Kumar met those who were affected by gas leak at a paper mill in the district. SP says, "Owner of the mill tried to hide the incident from us & did not inform police. A case will be registered".