Twitter Reactions Vizag Gas Leak: Narendra Modi, Arvind Kejriwal express distress over the incident

Eight people, including a child, have died and over 1,000 have reportedly fallen ill after gas leaked overnight from a chemical plant of a multinational firm in Andhra Pradesh. More than 200 are in hospitals following the leak of what is believed to be styrene gas from an LG Polymers facility located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. People found unconscious in lanes, ditches and near houses were taken to hospitals in a rescue effort challenged by the coronavirus lockdown. The gas leak, which started at 2.30 am, is suspected to have been from large tanks unattended because of the shutdown to fight COVID-19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to home ministry and disaster management officials and tweeted: "I pray for everyone's safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam." Minutes later, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced the PM's meeting with NDMA officials.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav were also among those to express sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to bereaved families. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also tweeted, saying news of the gas leak was "worrying" and that disaster response teams were working with the state government to contain the situation. Set up in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers, the company was taken over by South Korea's LG Chem and renamed as LG Polymers India in 1997. The plant makes polystyrene and expandable polystyrene, a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products like toys and appliances. Let us have a look at some of the reactions from politicians on the incident.

Spoke to officials of MHA and NDMA regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely.

I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 7, 2020

Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Vishakhapatnam because of the the gas leak. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones. I pray for everyone’s well being.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 7, 2020

Distressed to learn about the gas leak incident at LG Polymers industry in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh this morning.

The situation is being monitored closely and all assistance is being provided. I pray for the safety and well-being of people in Vizag.

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 7, 2020

The incident in Vizag is disturbing.

Have spoken to the NDMA officials and concerned authorities. We are continuously and closely monitoring the situation.

I pray for the well-being of the people of Visakhapatnam.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 7, 2020

The news of gas leak from a Polymer plant in Visakhapatnam is worrying. @NDRFHQ is working together with the state government in performing the first responder’s duty.
My prayers for the safety of all.
Condolences to the family of those deceased.

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) May 7, 2020

Shocked to know about the terrible #VizagGasLeak tragedy. My condolences to the bereaved families, who have lost their loved ones. May God give them strength to bear this loss. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured.#vishakhapatnam#AndhraPradesh

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) May 7, 2020

Saddened by the news of gas leak in a plant near Visakhapatnam which has claimed several lives. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the recovery of the injured and the safety of all.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 7, 2020

Shocked to learn about the death of 3 people & hundreds being affected by a gas leak from a plant near #Visakhapatnam. @jaitdp leaders and cadre must be readily available to help people in distress. I urge everyone to take necessary precautions as advised by the officials.

— N Chandrababu Naidu #StayHomeSaveLives (@ncbn) May 7, 2020