Image Source: TIMES NOW

The death toll in the gas leak at a chemical plant in Vizag has now risen to six including one child. One of the victims succumbed to his injuries after he fell into a well while trying to escape, four died at King George's Hospital and two at a nearby village. As many as 250 have been hospitalised after the incident occurred at LG Polymers chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh's RR Venkatapuram village in Visakhapatnam. The leak was "neutralised" later, it's maximum impact was witnessed in a 1.5 km radius of the ground zero and odour was felt till 2-2.5 km, RK Meena, CP Visakhapatnam City told. PM Narendra Modi said he spoke to officials of MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) regarding the situation, which is being monitored closely. "I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam," he said in a statement on Twitter. Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, G Krishan Reddy instructed NDRF teams to provide all necessary relief measures. Continuously monitoring situation. Hundreds of people affected in an unprecedented and unfortunate event. Spoke to Home Secretary, GoI and requested him to provide required aid, Reddy said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the district officials to take every possible step to save lives and bring the situation under control, the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement. Reddy will leave for Vizag and visit the King George Hospital where the affected are being treated. He is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed the district machinery to take immediate steps and provide all help, it added. The incident around 3 am at the industrial plant in RR Venkatapuram village near Naiduthota area close to Gopalapatnam areas. Fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles were dispatched to the facility for relief operations shortly after the incident was reported. "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," the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation tweeted. The episode led to chaos in locals many of whom complained of burning sensation in eyes and breathing difficulties. There was widespread panic in a 3 km radius of the plant. Many were seen lying unconscious on the roads, as per report. Victims also complained of body rashes and soar eyes. The police rushed to the area and evacuated the victims after the incident came to light. The exact cause of the leak is yet to be ascertained. Vizag district collector V Vinay Chand rushed to the spot and is actively monitoring the situation. The situation will be brought under control within two hours. The national disaster relief teams from NDRF and SDRF have been deployed to mitigate the situation.