Indian plant gas leakage kills tens, thousands hospitalized

India’s east coast chemical plant gas leakage has killed six people and around 1,000 are hospitalized, death toll warned to be increased.

Due to Coronavirus lockdown, the two 5,000 tonne tanks were attended, out of which the gas got leaked, according to a police officer.

The footage revealed by Indian media showed women and children lying on the streets in the industrial port city, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

An assistant police officer reported, “We can confirm at least six deaths right now. More will be confirmed late.”

According to a hospital coordinator, at least 1,000 people had been shifted to nearby hospitals for best treatment, he feared that other unconscious at their homes may die soon.

“Another thing is that it is still too early in the morning, and there are people who were sleeping inside their homes (around the gas leak) and are unconscious,”  police said.

“The authorities are checking (in houses) as well. We are working to get people to the hospital. They need oxygenation and fresh air.”

The viral pictures at the King George Hospital two or three patients on a single bed due to shortage of space and beds. Many of the patients include children.

Some of the patients were lying on the beds in the sparse hospital wearing just shorts and without tops or shoes.

The plant operated by LG Polymers is located in the outskirts of Visakhapatnam. The city and the surrounding area are home to around five million people. The complex is owned by South Korea’s LG Chem.