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

1:45 PM

Vizag gas leak LIVE: Stagnation due to lockdown could have caused leak, says LG Polymers

An official of LG Polymers issued a statement that there was 1800 tonnes of styrene in the storage tank. He said that due to stagnation and changes in temperature it could have resulted in auto polymerization which could have caused vapourisation. “We are investigating the incident. Right now there is no leak as it has been contained. We will observe the facility for another four hours and give an all clear after a thorough inspection,” he said.

1:42 PM

Vizag gas leak tragedy: About LG Polymers

The LG Polymers was established in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers for manufacturing polystyrene and its co-polymers in Vizag. It was merged with McDowell &Co of the UB Group in 1978 and was taken over by South Korea-based LG Chem in 1997 which renamed it as LG Polymers. The factory manufactures general-purpose polystyrene and high impact polystyrene, expandable polystyrene, and engineering plastics compounds.

1:41 PM

Andhra Pradesh gas leak tragedy: Where did the gas leak take place?

The gas leak happened at the LG Polymer plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam. Workers were preparing for the reopening of the plant today when gas started leaking in the early hours. An FIR has been registered against LG Polymers and an inquiry has been ordered.

1:38 PM

Karnataka CM Yediyurappa "saddened" over gas leak incident in Vizag

1:35 PM

1:30 PM

Vizag gas leak: Spread of poisonous vapours depends on wind speed, officials say

The spread of styrene monomer vapours in the air depends on the wind speed and currently personnel are working to neutralise the air with chemicals such as 4-tert-Butylcatechol (TBC), a senior official of the Department of Factories said on Thursday.

1:27 PM

Company managing this has to be responsible for Vizag gas leak mishap: Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister MG Reddy

Company managing this has to be responsible for Vizag gas leak mishap. They'll have to come & explain us exactly what all protocols were followed, and what all were not followed. Accordingly, criminal action will be taken against them: Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister MG Reddy

 

1:25 PM

Gas leak is an accident. They were strictly following all protocols: Andhra Pradesh DGP

Gas leak is an accident. They were strictly following all protocols. Investigation under way. Forensic teams are also being sent to the spot: Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang

1:23 PM

TDP demands probe into gas leak incident, asks Centre to shut polymer unit

Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday demanded a probe into the gas leak incident in Visakhapatnam and asked the Centre to immediately shut down the chemical plant from where styrene vapour leaked.

1:20 PM

Locals report throat and skin irritation & some toxic infection

1:17 PM

27 persons are involved in the relief and rescue operation being conducted by NDRF

1:16 PM

PM Modi calls for a meeting of the NDMA

1:15 PM

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSAndhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy leaves for Visakhapatnam

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy leaves for Visakhapatnam. He will be visiting King George Hospital where the affected persons are being treated.

 

1:13 PM

Vizag gas leak: Chilling scenes bring back memories of Bhopal gas tragedy

Unconscious children being carried by parents in their arms, people laying on roads, health workers scrambling to attend to those affected by the styrene vapour leak and residents fleeing were some of the scenes that played out near here on Thursday, bringing back grim memories of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.

 

The leak of styrene, a chemical used to make synthetic rubber and resins, among others, occurred in the wee hours of Thursday while people were still fast asleep.

 

Women and children were seen lying on roads struggling to breath, reminiscent of the infamous Bhopal gas tragedy when a leak from the Union Carbide plant left around 3,500 dead and many maimed. Read on...

1:01 PM

Vizag gas leak: Civic body tells residents to stay indoors, use wet cloth as mask

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has asked people staying near the chemical plant where a gas leak took place in the wee hours to stay indoors and use a wet cloth to cover their nose and mouth.

 

"There is (a) 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," the GVMC said in a tweet.