Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Gas Leak News Updates: The National Green Tribunal on Friday took suo moto cognizance of the gas leak incident in Vizag and directed the firm, LG polymers, to deposit an initial amount of Rs 50 crores with the Vizag District Magistrate. “Having regard to the prima facie material regarding the extent of damage to life, public health and environment, we direct LG Polymers India Pvt., Limited to forthwith deposit an initial amount of Rs. 50 Crore, with the District Magistrate, Vishakhapatnam, which will abide by further orders of this Tribunal,” the NGT was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench. The amount was being fixed considering the financial worth of the company and the extent of the damage caused due to leak.
Earlier in the day, the Home Minister clarified that a ‘minuscule technical leak’ had occurred at the chemical factory in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam where styrene gas leak claimed 11 lives on Thursday. The clarification came amidst reports that there was a second gas leak at the LG Chem plant. The MHA said teams of the NDRF and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute are on the ground to support the local administration.
Meanwhile, at least 25 people are still in a critical condition.
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The National Green Tribunal today took suo moto cognizance of the Vizag gas leak incident and directed LG polymers to deposit an initial amount of Rs 50 Crores with the District Magistrate, Vizag. "Having regard to the prima facie material regarding the extent of damage to life, public health and environment, we direct LG Polymers India Pvt., Limited to forthwith deposit an initial amount of Rs. 50 Crore, with the District Magistrate, Vishakhapatnam, which will abide by further orders of this Tribunal. The amount is being fixed having regard to the financial worth of the company and the extent of the damage caused," the NGT was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
The situation in Visakhapatnam is returning to normal. Many people living in areas near the LG Polymers factory have started returning to their homes. A large number of people had rushed out after rumors of a second leak in the plant.
The gas tragedy in Vizag brought back grim memories of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy that killed over 4,000 people. The leakage left 11 dead and many collapsed on roads and kerbs trying to flee from the affected areas. It affected people and animals living in a five km radius.
Earlier on Thursday, PM Narendra Modi chaired an emergency meet in Delhi to review the situation. He also spoke to CM Jagan and assured him all support to save the lives.
The Indian Express reported that the Vizag plant of the company had no environmental clearance between 1997 and 2019. The IE report said the company admitted that as of May 10, 2019, the unit did not have a “valid environmental clearance substantiating the produced quantity, issued by the competent authority for continuing operations”.
The LG Chem plant was shut ever since the nationwide lockdown was announced. The leakage was reported by workers when they were reopening the plant following relaxations provided by the government to resume business in the third phase of the lockdown.
The gas leak, that quickly spread to villages in a five-kilometre radius, occurred at around 2.30 am on Thursday from the multinational LG Polymers Plant at RR Venkatapuram village.
Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has announced Rs 1 crore each as relief to kin of people killed in the tragedy. Jagan, who visited the King George Hospital here on Thursday, said that the government will also provide cash assistance to the injured.
At least 25 people are still in a critical condition after being exposed to the gas. 11 people have died so far.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) are on the ground to support the local administration.
Referring to media reports that there was another leak in Vizag, the MHA has clarified that this was a minuscule technical leak. "It's required to bring the container in control. It's been controlled and process of neutralisation is already in process. Situation is under control," the Home Ministry said.
Locals of RR Venkatapuram and surrounding areas are demanding closure of the LG Polymers unit permanently. They said only the closure of the unit will make them feel safe.
Andhra Pradesh Industries minister Goutham Reddy said that evacuation from the affected villages has been completed and the situation is under control now. He has also urged the people not to believe in rumours and listen to the announcements made by government officials.
Principal of Andhra Medical College, PV Sudhakar, said people who fell sick in styrene gas leakage incident are stable. All of them are likely to be released in afternoon today.
Chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has ordered the Arogyasri trust to cover all medical bills of patients, including those admitted to private hospitals under Arogyasri scheme.
The Indian Express reported today that the LG Polymers company in Vizag had no environmental clearance for its petrochemical plant between 1997 and 2019.
LG Polymers India, the company behind the deadly styrene gas leak in Visakhapatnam that left at least nine dead and hundreds hospitalised, is a subsidiary of leading South Korean chemical firm LG Chem that had entered India in 1997 through the acquisition of a local company. The Vizag plant manufactures polystyrene (PS) that finds wide utility in the food-service industry as rigid trays and containers, disposable utensils, and foamed cups, plates and bowls.READ MORE
Styrene is used in production of polystyrene plastics, rubber fiberglass and latex. It is also found in cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust and natural foods like vegetables and fruits, the report said. One thing to know about styrene is that it is a flammable liquid. READ MORE
The chances of long-term health effects because of exposure to styrene vapour, which leaked from a chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam, are small and illnesses caused by the gas are not universally fatal, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said on Thursday. As far as treatment is concerned, there is no specific antidote or a definite medicine for reversing the effect of this compound. The therapy remains mainly supportive, he said. Eleven people have died and 1,000 others exposed to styrene vapour that leaked from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Thursday and quickly spread to villages in a five-kilometre radius. READ MORE
A criminal case has been registered against management of chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh where gas leak occurred today morning. Meanwhile, the Centre has asked chemical manufacturers to exercise caution when reopening plants after lockdown, reports news agency PTI.
Visakhapatnam District Collector has said that a technical glitch in refrigeration unit of the factory was behind the gas leak incident. At least 11 people were killed and over 1,000 exposed to styrene vapour that leaked from LG Polymers Plant at RR Venkatapuram village on Thursday morning.
South Korea has expressed shock and grief over the gas leak incident at a Visakhapatnam-based chemical plant owned by South Korean petrochemicals giant LG Chem Ltd, calling it 'highly unfortunate'. At least 11 people were killed and around 1,000 fell sick after toxic styrene gas leaked from the the LG Polymers chemical plant in R R Venkatapuram village in Vishakapatnam in the early hours, news agency PTI reports.
A gas leak in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) has brought back memories of 1984 Bhopal tragedy after it affected people living in five villages and has claimed 11 lives as of now. So, what is Styrene gas and how has exposure to it caused harm? READ MORE HERE
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said that the chances of long-term health effects because of exposure to styrene vapour, which leaked from a chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, are less and illnesses caused by the gas is not universally fatal. As far as treatment is concerned, there is no specific antidote or a definite medicine for reversing the effect of this compound. The therapy remains mainly supportive, he said.
LG Polymers India, the company behind the deadly styrene gas leak in Visakhapatnam is a subsidiary of leading South Korean chemical firm LG Chem. It had entered India in 1997 through the acquisition of a local company. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Gas leaked from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Thursday and quickly spread to villages in a five-kilometre radius. At least 11 people lost their lives and about 1,000, many collapsed to the ground as they tried to escape the toxic vapours.
Former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu writes to Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on various issues pertaining to the Vizag Gas Leak including bringing in specialists from India and abroad to deliver expert medical care to residents of Visakhapatnam.
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday requested the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to allow him to travel by flight from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam to help people affected due to the gas leak from a chemical plant. The request comes at a time when all domestic and international flights, except cargo and those engaged in essential and emergency services, are suspended due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown.
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.
Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has voiced his concern over the incident, and said the situation was being monitored and all assistance provided. "Distressed to learn about the gas leak incident at LG Polymers industry in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh this morning. The situation is being monitored closely and all assistance is being provided. I pray for the safety and well-being of people in Vizag," he tweeted.
Expressing grief over the gas leak incident in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has prayed for the well-being of the people. "Deeply saddened to know about the tragic loss of so many lives and so many fell sick in #VizagGasLeak. My thoughts and prayers are with bereaved families in the hour of grief and pray for the speedy recovery of those who are hospitalized. #Visakhapatnam," Patnaik tweeted.
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. "I appeal that production be started after ensuring all safety precautionary measures," the Chief Minister said.
IT and Industries Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy said a helpdesk has been set up at the department of industries' general manager's office in Visakhapatnam. People can get in touch with Deputy Director S Prasada Rao on his mobile numbers 7997952301 and 891923934, and another officer R Brahma on 9701197069.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday condoled the death of people in the Visakhapatnam gas leak incident. "Deeply distressed by the loss of lives due to gas leak ... My condolences to bereaved families and wishes for speedy recovery of those taken ill," he said in a tweet.
Andhra Pradesh DGP D Gautam Sawang said that Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy held a high-level review meeting to take stock of the situation and ordered a probe into the matter.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has expressed grief over the incident, which left eight people dead and over 100 hospitalised. Styrene gas leaked at a polymer plant in Visakhapatnam early Thursday. "Extremely saddened by the incident in Visakhapatnam. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected," he tweeted.
At least 11 people died and 1,000 others were exposed to the gas leak at a chemical factory in Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.
Andhra Pradesh CM Y S Jaganmohan Reddy announces Rs 1 crore each as relief to kin of people killed in Visakhapatnam gas leak tragedy; offers cash assistance to injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took stock of the situation in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam where a gas leak from a chemical plant has left 11 dead, and assured all possible assistance to state Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. He also chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to assess the situation.
"The gas leak situation is now under control and we are exploring all ways to provide speedy treatment for those who suffer from inhaling the leaked gas," said LG Chem. "We are investigating the extent of damage and exact cause of the leak and deaths," LG Chemicals said in a statement.