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

4:27 PM

Death toll in Vizag gas leak at 11

As of now 11 people have lost their lives due to the gas leak, he said at a hurriedly convened press conference here. Member of the National Disaster Management Authority Kamal Kishore said that about 1,000 people living in nearby areas of the factory have been exposed to the gas leak. Pradhan said 500 people belonging to 200-250 families living in 3 km radius have been evacuated to the safer places.

4:12 PM

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear accidents team is flying in from Pune

4:05 PM

Watch | Search and evacuation by NDRF in Vizag

3:59 PM

Ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore to be given to the families of the deceased: AP CM

An ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each to be given to the families of the deceased in the  Vizag gas leakage incident. Ex gratia of Rs 10 lakhs to be given to those on ventilator: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy

3:57 PM

Vizag gas leak: What is Styrene that leaked in LG Polymers' plant?

At least 11 people died after a leak in a chemical factory in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. The toxic gas, Styrene, injured over 1000 people after they inhaled it once it mixed in the air following the leak around 2.30 am. Following the leak, the area has been vacated and over 250 families have been evacuated. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said that a specialized Chemical, Biological, Radiological (CBRN) team is being flown from Pune to assist the local teams in defusing the situation and that the leaking silos are at its minimum. What is Styrene gas?

3:50 PM

Gas leak disrupts train services, at least nine Shramik Specials affected

The gas leak from a chemical factory in Visakhapatnam on Thursday disrupted the movement of around 45 trains - nine Shramik Specials and the rest goods carriers - as rail workers suffering from irritation in their eyes and breathlessness halted work. Train services came to a halt at the Simhachalam North Railway Station (SCMN) in Visakhapatnam, near the chemical factory, between 8:35 hours and 12:00 hours, leading to several trains being stranded and prompting authorities to divert some others. Passenger train services are suspended in the country due to the ongoing lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. But the railways has been operating a few Shramik Specials to ferry migrant labourers, students and pilgrims stranded due to the lockdown, besides goods trains.

3:44 PM

Yediyurappa expresses grief, asks industries in Karnatkaa to take precautions

Citing the gas leak tragedy in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday asked managements of industries in the state restarting operations after COVID-19 lockdown to ensure all safety measures are in place. Expressing grief over the incident, which left eight people dead and over 100 hospitalised after styrene gas leaked at a polymer plant in Visakhapatnam early Thursday, he said it was unfortunate and such mishaps should not recur anywhere. In series of tweets, he said in the backdrop of the accident in Vishkhapatnam, managements restarting their industries in Karnataka after two months have to take this as a lesson of caution. "I appeal that production be started after ensuring all safety precautionary measures," the Chief Minister said.

3:39 PM

Cine personalities express shock, pray for speedy recovery of affected

3:31 PM

LG Polymer: What India should know about the company behind Vizag gas leak

LG Polymers, the company behind the deadly styrene gas leak that left many dead and hundreds injured on Thursday, is a subsidiary of LG Chemicals, which in turn is part of South Korea’s LG group. The company’s Vizag plant manufactures plastics and plastic compounds like polystyrene, expandable polystyrene, and enhanced plastic compounds. LG Chemicals had taken over erstwhile Hindustan Polymers in 1997 to enter this lucrative business in India. Nearly two decades earlier, Hindustan Polymers, a company founded in 1962 by the Shriram group, had been taken over by the United Breweries group in 1978. Read More

3:23 PM

High exposure to styrene can lead to a coma

The Styrene gas affects the central nervous system, throat, skin, eyes, and some other parts of the body. It is a highly flammable and releases a poisonous gas when burnt. The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) said that the gas is an alkaline benzene compound which leads to nauseousness upon exposure, it affects brain functions. In high exposure, it can lead to a coma.

3:15 PM

500 kg of PTBC chemical will be airlifted for neutralizing the gas leakage

500 kg of Para-tertiary butyl catechol (PTBC) chemical will be airlifted from Daman by Andhra Pradesh govt for neutralizing the gas leakage in Visakhapatnam plant: Ashwani Kumar, Secretary to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani

2:58 PM

In Pics | Vizag gas leak leave behind horrific scenes

An affected woman on a wheelchair being taken for treatment at King George Hospital after a major chemical gas leakage at LG Polymers industry in RR Venkatapuram village, Visakhapatnam. Photo: PTI\

Affected people being treated at a hospital after a major chemical gas leakage at LG Polymers industry in RR Venkatapuram village, Visakhapatnam. Photo: PTI

An affected woman being taken for treatment at King George Hospital after a major chemical gas leakage at LG Polymers industry in RR Venkatapuram village, Visakhapatnam. Photo: PTI

2:52 PM

CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy reaches hospital

2:48 PM

The intensity of the leak has fallen in time: NDRF

The styrene gas is heavier than air and comes down on spraying of water, which has been done. The impact has come down, however, the exact amount of leakage is a matter of investigation. However, the intensity has come down and the impact remains for seven to eight hours.  

2:46 PM

Chances of long term impact are less: AIIMS

Chances of long term impact of gas on humans is less, as the compound leaves the body in some time. It is an acute exposure not chronic in nature: AIIMS