LG Chem Transfers Entire 13,000 Tons of Hazardous Materials from India Accident to Yeosu Plant

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] LG Chem is transporting all the styrene, the cause of the gas leak accident in India, back to Korea at the request of the Indian state government. A total of 13,000 tons of styrene is scheduled to be transported to LG Chem's Yeosu plant.

On the 12th, according to LG Chem and local Indian media, YS Jaganmohan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, ordered LG Chem affiliate LG Polymers to return 13,000 tons of styrene stock to Korea.

The Andhra Pradesh state authorities stated that 8,000 tons have already been loaded onto a ship bound for Korea.

An LG Chem official said, "Following the Indian government's instructions, we are moving all the styrene stored at the plant and other locations to Korea," adding, "8,000 tons have already been shipped and are en route to Korea, and the remaining 5,000 tons will be shipped soon."

Earlier, in the early morning of the 7th, a gas leak accident occurred at LG Polymers India plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of 12 nearby residents and hospitalization of 800 to 1,000 residents.

Local police are reported to suspect that gas leaked from the chemical styrene monomer (SM) stored in tanks within the plant.

LG Polymers stated regarding the cause of the accident, "It is presumed to have occurred due to vapor leakage from the tank."

Exposure to high concentrations of styrene, used as a raw material for chemical products, is known to stimulate the nervous system, causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, and nausea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.