Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday issued a statement, clarifying that the second leak was a ‘minuscule technical leak’ which was ‘ required to bring the container in control’. It says that the situation is under control now.
At least 11 persons died after a chemical gas leakage on Wednesday night at LG Polymers industry in RR Venkatapuram village of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
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Over 1,000 people have been hospitalised after styrene gas escaped when an LG Polymers facility, shut due to the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, was restarted past midnight allegedly without precautions.
“Right now gas has been neutralised. One of the antidotes is drinking a lot of water. Around 800 were shifted to hospital, many have been discharged. An investigation will be carried out to see how this happened,” Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang told news agency ANI.
“Vizag gas leak is an accident. They were strictly following all protocols. Investigation underway. Forensic teams are also being sent to the spot: Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang,” he added.
#VizagGasLeak is an accident. They were strictly following all protocols. Investigation underway. Forensic teams are also being sent to the spot: Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang. pic.twitter.com/87qC4o39OH
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) May 7, 2020
“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,” the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation tweeted early in the morning.
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.
— Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) (@GVMC_OFFICIAL) May 7, 2020
Photos posted on social media showed at least a hundred people trying to help the injured and putting them into waiting ambulances. Some people can be seen wearing masks and helping those who are showing signs of difficulty in breathing.
What is styrene?
Styrene, chemically known as ethylbenzene, is a synthetic chemical which has the texture of a colourless liquid. Styrene is commonly used in the manufacture of plastic products using in food packaging, rubber, plastic, insulation, fiberglass, pipes and automobile parts.
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