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India deadly gas leak

By Jordi Bou

May 7, 2020 - Zeker 13 mensen zijn omgekomen bij een enorm gaslek in een chemische fabriek in Zuid-India. Honderden anderen zijn naar het ziekenhuis gebracht.

The synthetic chemical styrene leaked from the LG Polymers plant in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state, while workers were preparing to restart the facility after a coronavirus lockdown was eased.

Hundreds of people were hospitalised and thousands more were evacuated. People in an area of 3 kilometres complained of breathing difficulties and a burning sensation in their eyes.

The South Korean company LG Chem Ltd., which operates the plant, said it is cooperating with Indian authorities to help residents and employees.

The Vishakhapatnam plant is a leading manufacturer of polystyrene plastic in India. It employs around 300 workers.

The incident evoked memories of a gas leak at an factory of U.S. chemical firm Union Carbide that killed thousands in the central Indian city of Bhopal in 1984 in what is acknowledged to be the world's worst industrial disaster.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 07/05/2020; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Associated Press
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