In connection with the gas leak accident, the Indian state government has instructed LG Chem to move all of the styrene known as the cause of the accident to Korea.

According to local media, Prime Minister Andhra Pradesh ordered LG Chem's affiliate LG Polymers to return 13,000 tons of styrene inventory to Korea.

Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have already said that 8,000 tons have been shipped to Korea.

LG Polymers said, "In accordance with the Indian government's instructions, we are moving all the styrene stored in factories to Korea."

Earlier on the 7th, a gas leak accident occurred at the LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where 12 residents were killed and about 1,000 residents were hospitalized.

Local police suspect gas leaks from chemical styrene monomer (SM) stored in tanks in the factory.

LG Polymers stated that it is "probably caused by leaking oil vapor from the tank" regarding the cause of the accident.

It is known that when exposed to high-concentration styrene used as a raw material for chemicals, the nervous system is stimulated, causing symptoms such as dyspnea, dizziness and nausea.

After the accident, some local residents demanded closure of the plant, etc., and the authorities also explained that if a violation of environmental regulations was found, the plant license could be revoked.  

(Photo = AFP, Yonhap News)