Eight people died and nearly 5,000 people reported sick after a chemical gas leaked at L.G. Polymers, a pharmaceutical company at RR Venkatapuram village near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
On the 7th of May, around 3:00 A.M., a chemical gas leakage claimed the lives of 8 people, including two senior citizens and an 8 year old girl. However, two of the deaths were more like an accident while escaping, one fell from the 2nd floor of a building and the other one fell into a well which caused their deaths.
Soon the news broke out, fire tenders, police and ambulances rushed to the spot and 3 km radius areas to control the situation. The incident caused panic amongst the people as approximately 5,000 people suffered issues like breathing problems, burning sensation in the eyes, felt unconscious on roads and rashes on their body. The injured were rushed to hospitals immediately.
Mr. Venkat Rao, Sub Inspector (SI) of the area said, “People have passed out after inhaling the gas. Even our (police personnel) eyes are still burning and we feel nauseous.”
Gautam Sawang, the Director General of Police (DGP) of Andhra Pradesh, monitored the situation and said injured people are undergoing treatment and would get a discharge soon. DGP Sawang said, “People who have been taken to the hospital will be given treatment and most of them can be discharged.”
At a time, when the pandemic illness the Novel Coronavirus is a matter of concern, this incident makes the situation worse in the State. In addition to the virus infected patients, hospitals, medical staff and doctors are attending to the huge number of people affected by the gas leakage.
The reason behind the leakage seemed to be a maintenance issue, but the official reason is yet to be identified. Police advised people to come out of their homes and go to safer places.
V. Vinay Chand, the Collector of Visakhapatnam also rushed to the spot and is monitoring the situation. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is also scheduled to visit and take stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, Visakhapatnam authorities deployed the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) for the rescue operation. A police investigation regarding the incident is also launched by the Visakhapatnam police.
Rescue operation of the locals is underway.
