President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in the gas leak incident in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam and prayed for the recovery of the injured.
'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,' he tweeted.
'I am confident that the administration is doing everything possible to bring the situation under control at the earliest,' the President said.
At least 11 people, including a child, were killed after a major gas leak at LG Polymers in Gopalpatnam under Visakhapatnam district.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also condoled the deaths of people in the incident.
'Deeply distressed by the loss of lives due to gas leak ... My condolences to bereaved families and wishes for speedy recovery of those taken ill,' he said in a tweet.
The vice president spoke with Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy.
'They assured that needed assistance is being given to ensure safety of people,' he said.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been rushed to the affected areas to assist the local administration in relief operations, Naidu said quoting the Union home secretary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation, and assured all possible assistance to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The prime minister also chaired a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to assess the situation.
The prime minister wrote on Twitter that he spoke with officials of the Union Home Ministry and NDMA regarding the situation 'which is being monitored closely'.
'I pray for everyone's safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam,' he said.
The Prime Minister's Office said Modi spoke to the state chief minister.
'He assured all help and support,' a PMO tweet said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the gas leak as 'disturbing' and said the central government is closely monitoring the situation.
'The incident in Vizag is disturbing. Have spoken to the NDMA officials and concerned authorities. We are continuously and closely monitoring the situation,' Shah tweeted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed shock over the gas leak incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those hospitalised.
He also urged Congress workers in the area to provide all necessary support to those affected.
'I'm shocked to hear about Vizag Gas Leak. I urge our Congress workers and leaders in the area to provide all necessary support and assistance to those affected. My condolences to the families of those who have perished. I pray that those hospitalised make a speedy recovery,' he said on Twitter.
Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy spoke to Andhra Pradesh's chief secretary and director general of police and took stock of the situation.
Reddy instructed teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide necessary assistance to the victims.
"I am continuously monitoring the situation. Hundreds of people have also been affected in the unprecedented and unfortunate event in Visakhapatnam, AP," he said in New Delhi.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also expressed shock over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
Describing the incident as very unfortunate, Rao wished for speedy recovery of those who fell ill due to the gas leak, an official release said in Hyderabad.
Citing the gas leak tragedy, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday asked managements of industries in the state restarting operations after COVID-19 lockdown to ensure all safety measures are in place.
Expressing grief over the incident, he said it was unfortunate and such mishaps should not recur anywhere.
In series of tweets, he said in the backdrop of the accident in Vishkhapatnam, managements restarting their industries in Karnataka after two months have to take this as a lesson of caution.
'I appeal that production be started after ensuring all safety precautionary measures,' the chief minister said.
The state government has recently announced relaxations in the lockdown curbs in green and organge zones in the state and allowed several activities, including industrial operations.
In another tweet, Yediyurappa said: 'Extremely saddened by the incident in Visakhapatnam. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected.@AndhraPradeshCM.'
The gas leak impacted villages within a 5-kilometre radius of the plant, according to officials.
Former prime minister and JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda expressed shock over the incident and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend all required assistance to Andhra Pradesh.
'I am shocked and deeply pained by the #VizagGasLeakage tragedy. My prayers are with those affected. @AndhraPradeshCM @ysjagan @ncbn I request @PMOIndia to extend all needed assistance,' he tweeted.
Former Union minister for petroleum and natural gas M Veerappa Moily and Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka assembly and former chief minister Siddaramaiah were among others who expressed grief over the mishap.
'...we find from the report that not much rescue operation has been taken. Emergent measures will have to be taken on a war footing to bring the situation under control. I pray that situation comes under control and all the affected are taken care,' Moily said.
Siddaramaiah in a tweet said: 'Sad to know about the tragic gas leak in Visakhapatnam which has taken many lives. We stand in support with the people of Andra Pradesh in this hour of grief.'
Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda expressed deep pain over the tragedy and asked party workers to provide all possible help to victims.
'Deeply pained to hear about the tragic gas leak in Visakhapatnam. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, I pray for the wellbeing of all. I urge party workers to provide all possible relief in coordination with the administration, following all health protocols,' he tweeted.
