Vizag gas leak: AP CM orders probe, announces Rs 1 crore relief to kin

The NDRF had put the death toll from the leak at 11.

The chief minister announced a committee to probe into the mishap and also said the government would talk to the LG Polymers management seeking job for the kin of the deceased in any of its businesses.

Speaking to reporters after conducting a review meeting, Reddy also announced Rs 10 lakh each to those undergoing treatment on ventilator support and Rs 25,000 to those who took treatment as out-patients after developing health complications due to inhalation of the styrene vapour.

Earlier, he held a review meeting at the Andhra Medical College with District Collector Vinay Chand and others.

The gas leak victims undergoing treatment in various hospitals would be paid Rs one lakh each. The 15,000-odd population in the five villages that were affected by the gas leak would be paid Rs 10,000 each, the chief minister added.

Reddy further announced constitution of a high-level committee, headed by the Special Chief Secretary (Environment and Forests), to probe into the mishap and make recommendations to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Earlier, he visited the King George Hospital and consoled the victims of the gas leak.

Accompanied by his Deputy holding the health portfolio A K K Srinivas and Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney, Reddy flew down to the port city and went straight to the KGH.

He met the gas leak victims undergoing treatment and enquired about their well-being.

At the review meeting, the Collector informed the Chief Minister that the gas spread was limited to a 1.5 to 2 km area from the epicentre of the leak and that the locals were evacuated to safety.

Of the two styrene tanks in the plant, the leak occurred from one that was holding about 1,800 kilo litres of the chemical.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday expressed shock over the gas leak incident in Visakhapatnam and urged residents of the city to take necessary precautions.

At least six people have died and around 100 hospitalised after gas leaked from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam.

In a tweet, Naidu said leaders and cadre must be readily available to help people in distress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took stock of the situation in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam where a gas leak from a chemical plant has left six dead and prayed for people's safety and well-being. He convened a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority.

The prime minister wrote on Twitter that he spoke with Union Home Ministry officials and 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.

The Prime Minister's Office said Modi spoke to the state chief minister. "He assured all help and support," a PMO tweet said.

After the meeting of NDMA chaired by Modi, his principal secretary P K Mishra reviewed the situation with top government officials.

In the review meeting with Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, NDMA, NDRF, Director AIIMS, and medical experts, Mishra directed that team of experts be sent to the spot.

He also directed that short term as also long term medical impact of the gas leak be looked into, sources said.