A gas leak at a LG Polymers plant near the city of Visakhapatnam in the eastern state of Andhra Pradesh, India, caused the death of several people and the transfer of hundreds to hospitals due to breathing difficulties.

There were shocking pictures and videos showing the victims lying on the ground unconscious in the aftermath of the tragedy, and it is not known how they are dead or alive.

Reuters reported that the accident killed at least 9 people, quoting the police, while some local outlets reported that about 300 people were hospitalized and 5,000 others were ill. Among the victims are two elderly people and a 7-year-old girl, whose styrene is considered to be highly toxic gas when inhaled at sufficiently high concentrations.

Gas leakage at a Pharma company in Visakhapatnam, causing panic among people. Administration start evaluation on surrounding villages. Casualty feared. #AndhraPradesh #chemicalleal pic.twitter.com/vi37sGD8bk

- Aashish (@Ashi_IndiaToday) May 7, 2020

About 1,000 people have been admitted to nearby hospitals, while local media have said that between 1,500 and 2,000 beds have been prepared to receive the affected cases.

A municipal official resorted to Twitter Thursday morning to say that the leak occurred at 2:30 am, and that "hundreds" either lost consciousness or had trouble breathing after inhaling the toxic chemical.

As the sub-inspector in Gopalapatnam district, Venkat Rao, told the media: "People died after inhaling the gas, until the eyes of the police officers burn them and they feel nauseous."

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