VISHAKAPATNAM — Thousands of people were rendered unconscious due to a gas leak at a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh overnight. The gas leak happened at the LG Polymar Chemical Plant in the RR Venkataouram. The leakage started at around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday. The gas spread in the neighborhood areas and covered an aerial distance of up to 4 kilometers from the plant. Early morning, Ventak Rao, sub inspector, Gopalapatnam said that at least 3 people died from the leak and at least 500 were moved to the hospitals and 3 villages were evacuated. Out of those who were admitted to the hospital, 82 are in KGH Hospital. Reports revealed that the people who were exposed to the gas had a burning sensation in the eyes, Rao said, adding, “People passed out after inhaling the gas. Even our (police personnel) eyes are still burning and we are feeling nauseous.” He said that while most of the people are being taken to the King George Hospital there are some who are being moved to private hospitals as per requirements. Gautam Sawang, director general of police (DGP) Andhra Pradesh, reported that at least 6 people died due to gas leak out of which 2 were children and 4 adults. Two of these deaths were accident-related, as one man fell into a well while trying to run away and another person fell from the 2nd floor of the house. He said that the gas itself is not lethal nor is it poisonous, therefore, people who have been taken to the hospitals will be treated and most of them will be discharged soon. As per the protocols set by the company, LG Polymers had a gas chamber and a neutralizer chamber right next to it. When the gas leaked they immediately tried to neutralize the gas. He does not expect the casualty count to rise any higher. An investigation, however, has been started to find out what led to this disaster. As of now it is being said the leakage occurred due to maintenance issue. Srijana Gummalla, commissioner of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), said, “Primary report is that the PVC gas (or Styrene) leaked from LG Polymers, Vepagunta near Gopalapatnam in Visakhapatnam at around 2:30 a.m. today. “Because of the leakage of the said compound gas hundreds of people inhaled it and either fell unconscious or were having breathing issues.” A former LG Polymer employee and secretary of workers’ union, who is also a resident, said that the possible cause of the incident could be lack of maintenance work before resuming the unit operation after the lockdown relaxations. He said, “The leak is likely to have been caused because of not doing proper maintenance before starting production after a while. In their eagerness to start the plant again, they may not have done that.” He also alleged that since the past few days maintenance works at the plant was done by unskilled workers. The former employee and several locals suggested that styrene (a colorless liquid) could be one of the chemicals that may have caused an explosion and the leak. He also said that people who were sleeping outside managed to escape, however people who were living inside the factory were not so lucky and fell unconscious. They had to be rescued by the police department and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel by breaking into the premises. — XploringIndia