Vizag Gas Leak Updates: As it happened

Vizag Gas Leak: What we know so far

- The gas leak happened in the early hours of Thursday at LG Polymers plant at RR Venkatapuram, Gopalapatnam, Visakhapatnam

- At least 11 people, including children, have been killed
- Authorities asked residents to stay indoors and use wet cloth as mask
- Hundreds who fell sick or unconscious are being treated at hospitals
- The gas leak is currently under control, the authorities have said
- The National Disaster Response Force is conducting relief and rescue operations

Visakhapatnam Gas Leak Tragedy: Live Updates

• The gas leak from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam, that killed at least 11 people and impacted about 1,000, needs to be fully investigated by local authorities, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday.
• The Union Home Ministry on Thursday issued an advisory for the public about the things to be done and not be done following such an incident.
• Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Thursday urged all public and private chemical makers to exercise caution and care while reopening their plants. Union Environment Ministry and State Pollution Control Boards have also issued separate directives to all companies to take extreme precaution while restarting their units that remained suspended due to the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country, he said.
• Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed shock over the gas leak incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those hospitalised.
• Ashwani Kumar, Secretary to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that 500 kg of Para-tertiary butyl catechol (PTBC) chemical will be airlifted from Daman by Andhra Pradesh govt for neutralizing the gas leakage in Visakhapatnam plant. The decision was taken after a request by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani gave the orders to chemical companies in Vapi to send the chemical by road to Daman.
• An ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each to be given to the families of the deceased in the gas leakage incident. Ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to be given to those on ventilator and 1 lakh to those who are being treated in hospital while Rs 25,000 to those who have fallen sick, says Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
• The death toll has risen to 10. 
• Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has arrived in Visakhapatnam. 
• The gas has been neutralised. One of the antidote is drinking a lot of water. Around 800 were shifted to hospital, many have been discharged. Investigation will be carried out to see how this happened: Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam
• Saddened by the news of gas leak in a plant near Visakhapatnam which has claimed several lives. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the recovery of the injured and the safety of all: President Ram Nath Kovind. 
• Over 1,000 people have been hospitalised while more than 80 people have been kept on ventilator support following the tragedy in Vizag
• Helpdesk has been set up in Visakhapatnam.

• Governor of Andhra Pradesh has expressed shock over the Vizag Gas Leak mishap. He has ordered officials to take up rescue op on war footage. Guv suggested to avail services of red cross volunteers in the evacuation. He ordered the Visakhapatnam Red Cross unit to constitute medical camps: Guv office
• PM Narendra Modi has spoken to Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam. He assured all help and support: Prime Minister's Office
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• In the wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam, PM Modi has called for a meeting of the NDMA at 11 AM.
• The incident in Vizag is disturbing. Have spoken to the NDMA officials and concerned authorities. We are continuously and closely monitoring the situation. I pray for the well-being of the people of Visakhapatnam: Union Home Minister Amit Shah
• I’m shocked to hear about the #VizagGasLeak. I urge our Congress workers & leaders in the area to provide all necessary support & assistance to those affected. My condolences to the families of those who have perished. I pray that those hospitalised make a speedy recovery: Rahul Gandhi
• Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy will visit those affected by the gas leak in Visakhapatnam today. 
• As many as 70 people have been taken to the hospital following the gas leak, reported at the LG Polymers industry in RR Venkatapuram village, Visakhapatnam.
• Fire tenders, police and ambulances were called on the spot after a thousand people complained of a chemical gas leak.
• "Spoke to officials of MHA and NDMA regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam," PM Modi has tweeted.