Visakhapatnam : Eight people, including children, died and hundreds others got sick following a major gas leak at Hindustan Polymers plant in RR Venkatpuram Thursday. According to officials at Andhra Medical College, where several ill are being treated, the death toll could rise further.
The gas leak occurred between 2.30 a.m. and 3 a.m. and fumes soon spread over a radius of 3 km, taking into its fold at least five villages including RR Venkatapuram, Padmapuram, B.C. Colony and Kamparapalem.
According to initial reports, the leaked toxin was styrene gas. As fumes spread, residents developed breathing problems and vomiting.
An NDRF Team has reached the site. Around 200 people have been shifted to King George Hospital in the city. Private hospitals are being resorted to with the govt medical college overwhelmed.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is expected to visit the port city for a first-hand take on the situation. The Minister for Industries and Commerce Mekapati Goutham Reddy asked district officials to set up helpline numbers on urgent basis to reach out to resident at Narava, RR Puram, Tialors’ Colony, BC Colony, Bapuji Nagar, Kamaparalem and Krishna Nagar. He also instructed Special Chief Secretary (Industries) R Karikal Valaven to extend all possible assistance to the district administration.
