11 dead in Vizag gas leak, Andhra CM announces ₹1 crore compensation: Latest updates

Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang on Thursday told reporters that the gas now has been neutralised.

At least 11 people lost their lives in chemical gas leakage at LG Polymers industry in RR Venkatapuram village of Visakhapatnam on Thursday. Thousands of people have been reported sick after the incident and were evacuated; hundreds are admitted in hospitals for treatment.

Visakhapatnam: Affected people being taken to a hospital for treatment after a major chemical gas leakage at LG Polymers industry in RR Venkatapuram village.(PTI)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced ₹1 crore each as compensation to the kin of those who have been killed in the tragedy. Those victims who are undergoing treatment on ventilator would get ₹10 lakh each. Others, who are hospitalised but not on ventilator, would received ₹1 lakh each as compensation.

State DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang on Thursday told reporters that the gas now has been neutralised.

“One of the antidote is drinking a lot of water. Around 800 were shifted to hospital, many have been discharged. Investigation will be carried out to see how this happened,” Sawang was quoted by news agency ANI.

Watch | At least 11 dead, several sick after gas leak at Andhra Pradesh factory

 

Poisonous styrene gas leaked from the plant during the early hours of the morning, when families in the surrounding villages were asleep. In the wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam, PM Modi held a meeting of the National Disaster Response Force (NDMA).

Here’s what we know about the Andhra chemical gas leak incident so far:

- Andhra Pradesh CM announced compensation for the victims and those who got affected by the gas leak. Those who have been treated as outpatients will be paid ₹25,000 each. Families that have been affected by the leak in the surrounding five villages will get ₹10,000 each. Those who lost cattle will get full compensation; besides ₹20,000 to each family.

- The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) on Thursday issued a notice to Andhra Pradesh government and Centre over death and suffering of people due to poisonous styrene gas leak in Andhra pradesh’s Vizag district, news agency PTI reported.

- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy left for Visakhapatnam. He visited King George Hospital where the affected are being treated.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and said that the situation in Visakhapatnam is being closely monitored. He prayed for the safety and well-being of the people there.

- “Spoke to officials of MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam,” PM Modi tweeted.

- Andhra Pradesh Police, in a tweet, said reports of a second gas leak were false. “Reports of a second leak at #LGPolymers premises are false. Maintenance team was repairing the system and some vapour was let out. There is NO second leak,” the tweet read.

- “The incident in Visakhapatnam 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,” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 

- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the district officials to take every possible step to save lives and bring the situation under control.

- PM Modi also spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam and has assured all help and support.

- President Ram Nath Kovind expressed sadness on the incident. “Saddened by the news of gas leak in a plant near Visakhapatnam which has claimed several lives. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the recovery of the injured and the safety of all,” he said.

- A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was pressed into service to evacuate people from the nearby colonies. Fire tenders from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd were trying to reduce the impact of the gas using water. 80 to 90 percent evacuation is completed, NDRF DG told news agency ANI.

- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter and expressed grief over the incident. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Vishakhapatnam because of the the gas leak. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones. I pray for everyone’s well being,” his tweet read.

The incident happened at around 3 am at LG Polymers Ltd at Gopalapatnam. People in the nearby colonies were fast asleep when the incident took place.

The LG polymers company was making arrangements for reopening the plant from Thursday (May 7), after more than 40 days of closure.