Visakhapatnam: Eleven people, including LG Polymers Company chief executive officer Sunky Jong, have been arrested in the case of the gas leakage in Visakhapatnam. The arrested have been identified as DS Kim, technical director of LG Polymers, and P Poornachandra Mohan Rao, additional director of operations.
Three officers were suspended by the Pollution Control Board for alleged negligence in duty.
The high power committee set up by the Andhra Pradesh government had said that the lack of precautionary measures caused the accident.
The committee recommended that all directors and managers of the company be sued. Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police RK Meena said that the investigation showed that the seriousness of the accident was caused by the failure of these officers. The arrest comes just two months after the case was registered.
The disaster occurred on May 7. Styrene gas leaked from the plant’s M6 tank. The toxic gas was discharged after the lockdown when the plant was to open. Eleven people died in the incident. Many people, including children, had serious health problems due to gas inhalation. The gas was spread over five kilometers in the area.
People left home after experiencing shortness of breath and tears. They fell unconscious on the roadside. The rescue operation was difficult in the first phase. Police and locals have been unable to do anything for some time due to shortness of breath and health problems. The rescue operation was launched after precautionary measures.
