Vizag gas leak probe report finds LG Polymers at fault

Accepting the probe report, the Chief Minister directed that the report should be placed in public domain for people to access. It has also been decided to approach the relevant authorities.

Twelve persons had died and hundreds had to be treated for the effects of inhaling styrene gas which had leaked into the environment on May 7.

The eight-member committee comprising state and central officials and experts compiled a comprehensive 4,000-page report looking into the causes and factors behind the styrene gas leak at LG Polymers' facility on the outskirts of the port city.

The findings of the HPC point to shortcomings on the part of the LG in the unfortunate incident. The reasons cited for the mishap include poor design of the tank, inadequate refrigeration, poor safety protocol, slackness on part of the management, insufficient knowledge of the chemical properties of styrene, especially during storage conditions, and non-compliance with safety protocol during the lockdown period.

Neerabh Kumar Prasad, Chairman of the HPC, said "The committee had invited citizens to pose questions. Over 1,200 queries, 180 calls and 250 emails were received by the committee. The committee hereby informed the CM that almost all the questions which could be answered at this point of time have been answered, with an exception of questions which only could be answered in the long run and depend on variables."