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An FIR has been lodged against LG Polymers after a gas leak from the company’s chemical plant near Vizag killed 11 and left over hundreds hospitalized. The state and national disaster response teams rushed over 300 to hospitals and evacuated over 1500 living in the vicinity of the plant. The victims within 2-2.5 km of the facility complained of difficulty in breathing and burning sensation in their eyes. Now, an FIR has been filed against LG Polymers, a unit of South Korea’s biggest petrochemical maker, LG Chem Ltd. MV Subba Rao, a resident of Gopalapatnam area where the plant is located filed the complaint against the management of chemicals company unit in Vizag under various sections 278, 284,285, 337, 338, 304-II of the IPC. Section 278 of the IPC pertains to making atmosphere noxious to health, Section 284 for negligent conduct with respect to a poisonous substance, Section 285 pertains to negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter, Section 337 for causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others and Section 338 for causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others. The government said 11 people died and 1,000 others were exposed to the gas leak at RR Venkatapuram village in Visakhapatnam. Director-General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) S N Pradhan said leakage from the factory is now minimal but the NDRF personnel will be at the spot till it is totally plugged. As of now 11 people have lost their lives due to the gas leak, he said at a press conference. The leak was subsequently “neutralised”, the units' South Korean parent firm LG Chem said in a statement later. LG Chem, which runs the plant said it is cooperating with the authorities to help the residents and employees. “The gas leakage is now under control, but the leaked gas can cause nausea and dizziness, so we are investing every effort to ensure proper treatment is provided swiftly," LG Chem said in a statement. The company said it is looking into what caused the leak of styrene monomer gas, which is used for producing plastic. We are investigating the extent of damage and the exact cause of the leak and deaths, it added in a statement. The statement said the plant's operations were suspended because of coronavirus lockdown at the time of the accident, adding none of the LG Chem's employees died in the accident. LG Chem said it was seeking to ensure casualties received treatment quickly. Company staff reportedly inspecting machines to restart the factory noticed the leak and raised an alarm.