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| India gas leak: At least eight dead after Visakhapatnam accident | India gas leak: At least eight dead after Visakhapatnam accident |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Eight people have died, with hundreds of others taken ill, after a gas leak in south India. | Eight people have died, with hundreds of others taken ill, after a gas leak in south India. |
| The leak, in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state, has been traced to a polymer factory. | The leak, in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state, has been traced to a polymer factory. |
| Doctors told BBC Telugu that "hundreds" of people have been taken to hospital - many complaining of a burning sensation in the eyes and difficulties breathing. | Doctors told BBC Telugu that "hundreds" of people have been taken to hospital - many complaining of a burning sensation in the eyes and difficulties breathing. |
| The incident took place at around 03:00 local time (21:30 GMT) at the LG Polymers plant. | The incident took place at around 03:00 local time (21:30 GMT) at the LG Polymers plant. |
| Rajendra Reddy, a senior official in the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, told BBC Telugu's Satish Balla that the leaked gas was styrene, which is usually refrigerated. | Rajendra Reddy, a senior official in the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, told BBC Telugu's Satish Balla that the leaked gas was styrene, which is usually refrigerated. |
| The incident took place when the plant was being re-opened for the first time since 24 March when India went into lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. | The incident took place when the plant was being re-opened for the first time since 24 March when India went into lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. |
| Officials told the BBC that they still don't know what caused the incident and that they are investigating. | Officials told the BBC that they still don't know what caused the incident and that they are investigating. |
| As the gas spread, residents ran out of their homes in panic. | As the gas spread, residents ran out of their homes in panic. |
| It is feared that the fumes have spread over a radius of about 3km (2 miles) and officials have been evacuating people from surrounding areas. | It is feared that the fumes have spread over a radius of about 3km (2 miles) and officials have been evacuating people from surrounding areas. |
| A senior district official told the BBC that initial attempts to control the gas leak were unsuccessful. However, local news agencies have reported that the situation is now under control. | |
| In the meantime, officials have asked people to protect themselves by covering their faces with a wet cloth. | In the meantime, officials have asked people to protect themselves by covering their faces with a wet cloth. |
| India has a sad history of gas leak tragedies. | India has a sad history of gas leak tragedies. |
| In 1984, a chemical leak in a plant in the central city of Bhopal killed thousands of people, in what is acknowledged to be the world's worst industrial disaster. | In 1984, a chemical leak in a plant in the central city of Bhopal killed thousands of people, in what is acknowledged to be the world's worst industrial disaster. |
| More than 35 years later, victims say children are still being born with disabilities because of the effects of the spill. | More than 35 years later, victims say children are still being born with disabilities because of the effects of the spill. |