The gas leak at the LG Polymer plant at Gopalapatnam, Visakhapatnam has claimed 11 lives and left over 5000 people ill. The devastating incident, that has been compared to the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, reportedly occurred as large gas tanks were left unattended because of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, reports Indian Express. This reportedly led to a chemical reaction and heat was produced inside the tanks causing the gas leak.
I'm extremely saddened to hear about the #VizagGasLeak. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.. pic.twitter.com/a3vCo9uNQY
— ARIJIT MITRA (@mitrarijit) May 7, 2020
How did it all start?Â
According to reports, workers were preparing for the reopening of the plant when the gas started leaking. Police officer Swaroop Rani in Visakhapatnam was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying the gas leaked out of two 5,000-tonne tanks that had been unattended due to the lockdown. Almost eight hundred people were admitted to the hospital after styrene gas escaped as workers tried to restart the factory past midnight allegedly without precautions, reports NDTV.Â
“The unfortunate event took place past midnight when they tried to restart the polymer plant which is pretty old — maybe if it was done in the day time, people would have been more alert and able to move away,” said PV Ramesh, secretary to Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Reddy, was quoted saying.
Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy meets those hospitalized at King George hospital. #VizagGasLeak pic.twitter.com/vD94qKgSBZ
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020
The gas leak started after midnight from large tanks that were left unattended since late March due to the lockdown. People within a 3 km radius of the chemical plant were severely affected by the incident. Many individuals were found lying motionless in lanes, and near their houses.
“Our initial information is that workers were checking a gas storage tank when it started leaking. Only a thorough investigation will reveal what exactly happened,” Industries Minister M Goutham Reddy was quoted saying.Â
#VizagGasLeak: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a meeting of the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), in wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also present. pic.twitter.com/riFiBKnFMY
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020
The evacuation process:Â
At least three surrounding villages were also evacuated as a precautionary measure. Police officers even went to the villages themselves and announced on loudspeakers asking people to evacuate. However, as many residents were fast asleep, cops had to break open doors to help people move out of their homes. However, some of the locals were already unconscious. Several people were evacuated and taken to the hospital for treatment.
“The most serious cases have been shifted to King George Hospital. The situation was very serious till 6 am as the poisonous gas leaked till then.
Now, it has eased a bit and we are able to go into the affected villages. A large number of animals including pet dogs, livestock, and birds have died. A team of veterinary doctors has reached the villages to assess the situation. In a couple of hours, the situation should improve,” Vizag Collector V Vinay Chand was quoted saying.
The Indian Navy also came to the rescue of the gas leak victims, reports the Outlook. They provided five Portable Multifeed Oxygen Manifolds sets to help the medical administration treating the affected people.
Indian Navy pitches in with assistance in Vizag. It has provided 5 Portable Multifeed Oxygen Manifolds sets that can provide oxygen to 6 patients at one time. The sets have been given to King George Hospital for gas leak patients. 25 such sets given to COVID hospitals earlier pic.twitter.com/N9Y4g5AOmn
— Abhishek Bhalla (@AbhishekBhalla7) May 7, 2020
Precautions and safety measures to be followed:Â
And, while the situation is now slowly coming under control, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has urged people to stay indoors. They have also advised people to use a wet cloth to cover their nose and mouth. The GVMC officials are trying to reduce the impact of the leak by spraying water everywhere. Also, public address systems are being used to ask people to use masks.
#VizagGasLeak Preventive measures pic.twitter.com/oFm2FrGvbt
— AP Police (@APPOLICE100) May 7, 2020
The long term repercussions:
Although the gas is not lethal, prolonged exposure to it can cause breathing trouble and affect the nerves. Dr. D Raghunatha Rao, former Director, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre said acute (short-term) exposure to styrene gas results in mucous membrane and eye irritation, and gastrointestinal effects, reports The Hindu. And, chronic (long-term) exposure leads to serious multiple complications. Also, the gas leak could affect the elderly and people with respiratory ailments more than others.
#VizagGasLeak | Visakhapatnam District Collector Vinay Chand visits those affected by the chemical gas leak, at the hospital.
(📸 credit: ANI) pic.twitter.com/eWfIZWAKav
— NDTV (@ndtv) May 7, 2020
Legal action, remedial measures, and monetary compensation:
An FIR has been registered against LG Polymers and the authorities are currently carrying out a probe into the matter. CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy stated that the family of those deceased will be given Rs 1 crore as compensation from the state. Also, 500 kg of Para-tertiary butyl catechol (PTBC) chemical will be airlifted from Daman for neutralizing the gas leakage in the chemical plant, reports Money Control.
Well, we hope the situation comes completely under control soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Vizag gas tragedy.