Visakhapatnam gas leak: death toll rises to 5; Modi, Jagan monitoring situation

Two children were among three people killed early on Thursday morning when poisonous gas leaked from a plant of LG Polymers in Visakhapatnam. According to NDTV, around 200 people have been hospitalised following the accident at the LG Polymers plant in the RR Venkatapuram area of Visakhapatnam. The accident occurred around 3am, according to reports.

According to reports, the gas leaked over a 5km radius, forcing the evacuation of 20 villages. More than 200 people were stranded in their homes. TV footage showed many people lying on the roads; reports said many people fainted when walking away.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation tweeted, "There is gas leakage identified at LG  Polymers in Gopalpatnam. Requesting Citizens around these locations not to come out of houses for the sake of safety precautions."

LG Polymers had reopened on Thursday after being shut due to the lockdown. NDTV reported, "The plant makes polystyrene and expandable polystyrene, a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products like toys and appliances."