Visakhapatnam gas leak
 | It has been suggested that Visakhapatnam Gas Tragedy be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since May 2020. |
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (May 2020) |
| Date | 7 May 2020 |
|---|---|
| Time | 2:30am |
| Location | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Coordinates | 17°45′19″N 83°12′32″E / 17.75528°N 83.20889°E |
| Cause | Styrene leak from LG Polymers plant |
| Deaths | 13+ |
| Non-fatal injuries | 5,000+ |
Visakhapatnam gas leak, also referred to as Vizag gas leak, was a gas leak incident on the morning of 7 May 2020 at the LG Polymers industry in Venkatapuram village in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.[1] According to preliminary reports, the gas leaked was styrene.[2][3][4][5]
The Visakhapatnam gas tragedy, was a Styrene gas leak incident on 7 May 2020, from LG Polymers plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.[6][7]
The gas leak occurred at plant between 2.30 am and 3 am and spread over a radius of about 3 km, and affecting the nearby areas and villages.[8] Till the evening of 7th May, the official death toll was 11, and around 5000 people were reported sick.[9]
Background
The plant was was established in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers. It manufactures polystyrene and its co-polymer products, and engineering plastics compounds. In 1978, it was merged with McDowell & Co. and later, was taken over by South Korea-based LG Chem, which renamed it as LG Polymers in 1997.[10]
Accident
On 7 May 2020, the LG Polymers chemical plant located at Venkatapuram village in Visakhapatnam, was re-opened following the lockdown implemented to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] The plant had 2,000 metric tons (2,000 long tons; 2,200 short tons) of styrene stored in containers.[12] At around 2.30 a.m. when maintenance activity was in progress, the gas leaked from the plant and spread to nearby villages.[13][12]
Hundreds of people rushed to hospitals with breathing difficulties and burning sensation in the eyes.[11] Many have been found lying on the ground unconscious due the effects of the gas. According to the initial estimate, at least 11 people have died and over 5000 people fell sick.[1] The fumes are believed to have spread over a radius of 3 kilometres.[1][12][14] Villages in five-kilometre radius of the chemical plant were evacuated.[13]
Investigation
According to initial investigation, a gas valve malfunction is believed to have caused the leak.[15] The leaked gas is suspected to be evaporated styrene.[2]
References
- ^ a b c G, Siva. "Vizag LG Polymers Gas leak: 11 dead, over 5,000 fall sick after gas leak from LG Polymers". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Vizag gas leak: What is styrene and how does it affect the body?". The News Minute. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ "Thick air, pungent smell: How gas leakage tragedy unfolded at Visakhapatnam's LG Polymers plant". The Indian Express. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ "Vizag gas leak live news updates: Toll rises to 11; NHRC sends notice to Andhra Pradesh govt, Centre". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ Bureau, Andhra Pradesh (7 May 2020). "Visakhapatnam gas leak live updates: Jagan announces Rs. 1 crore relief". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ "Thick air, pungent smell: How gas leakage tragedy unfolded at Visakhapatnam's LG Polymers plant". The Indian Express. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ "Vizag gas leak live news updates: Toll rises to 11; NHRC sends notice to Andhra Pradesh govt, Centre". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ Bureau, Andhra Pradesh (7 May 2020). "Visakhapatnam gas leak live updates: Jagan announces Rs. 1 crore relief". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ "Vizag Gas Leak LIVE Updates: 11 Dead, Over 5,000 Sick After Leak at LG Polymers Plant; CM Announces Rs 1 Crore for Kin of Deceased". News18. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ "Thick air, pungent smell: How gas leakage tragedy unfolded at Visakhapatnam's LG Polymers plant". The Indian Express. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Hundreds injured and eight dead in Indian gas leak". BBC News. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ a b c "Vizag Gas Leak LIVE Updates: 8 Dead, 300 Hospitalised & Over 5,000 Sick After Leak at LG Polymers Chemical Plant; PM Modi Calls for NDMA Meet at 11am". News18. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Massive gas leak in Visakhapatnam, thousands affected, Centre monitoring situation: 10 points". India Today. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Staff; agencies (7 May 2020). "Gas leak at chemical factory in India kills at least nine and hospitalises hundreds". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ "Visakhapatnam Gas Leak Live Updates: Death toll mounts to 10, gas valve malfunction led to leak, finds probe". India Today. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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