HYDERABAD: Atleast five people including an eight-year-old child died and more than 200 people fell sick and admitted to different hospitals in Visakhapatnam after a Styrene gas from a chemical plant leaked at around 0300 hours early on Thursday.
Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy talking to a private satellite channel confirmed that five people died after a gas leaked from a plant of LG Polymers Chemical plant near Gopalpatnam area.
Sources said all the five died while undergoing treatment at King George Hospital (KGH) in the port city.
Ambulances, fire engines and policemen have reached the the chemical plant.
According to initial reports, styrene gas from the plant spread over a radius of about three kilometres, affecting at least five villages. Hundreds of people fell unconscious after inhaling the poisonous gas.
The gas reportedly spread over a radius of about three kilometres, affecting at least five villages including R.R. Venkatapuram, Padmapuram, B.C. Colony and Kamparapalem.
Residents near the Chemical Gas plant reported of burning sensation in their eyes and difficulty in breathing, Officials said.
Many cows, dogs have exposed to the poisonous gas and died.
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation tweeted ”There is a gas leakage at LG Polymers in Gopalpatna. Requesting Citizens around these locations not to come out of house for the sake of safety precautions”.
People in masks were seen carrying others who showed signs of difficulty in breathing.
The exact cause of the leak is yet to be ascertained, Officials added.
The NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in the area and a rescue operation is underway.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy is scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam to take stock of the situation. (AGENCIES)
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