Kurnool: Factory GM dies as ammonia gas leaks in agro plant

Kurnool: Ammonia gas leak following a pipeline blast during maintenance work at the SPY Agro Industries plant in Nandyal in Kurnool district on Saturday left the factory general manager dead, according to Kurnool District Collector G Veerapandian.

Four workers at the spot escaped unhurt, he said.

"There was a fume soon after the explosion but the ammonium gas in the pipe did not spread. Fire-fighting operation has been carried out and everything is under control," the Collector said.

Factory general manager Srinivasulu (50), who could not rush out when the blast occurred, was killed on the spot.

Four other workers, however, ran out to safety and were fine.

According to SPY Agros Managing Director S Sridhar Reddy, the explosion occurred at a valve due to high pressure but there was no gas leak.

On May 7, as many as 12 people, including a minor, were killed in Visakhapatnam when styrene vapours leaked from the LG Polymers plant while several hundreds fell ill after inhaling the poisonous chemical.

The residents of Nanayal and its surrounding villages were startled with the leak of ammonia gas from SPY Reddy Agro Chemical Factory on Saturday.

There were five persons including the general manager Srinivasulu when the mishap occurred at the plant. Four staffers Thimma Reddy, Harinarayana, Tirumal and Ravi managed to escape from the premises. But the general manager died on the spot.

On learning about the incident, District Collector G Veerapandian, SP Dr Fakkeerappa Kaginelli, Joint Collectors Patanshety Ravi Subash and Syed Khaza Mohiuddin rushed to the plant located at the industrial area on the outskirts of Nandyal.

Fire tenders, police personnel and other rescue teams were pressed into service. The fire fighters fixed the gas leakage problem.

The Collector speaking to the media said that there was no need to panic as the situation was brought under control. The gas leak happened only inside the factory and it was arrested before it could spread out and mingle with the air.

However, the people residing within a radius of one kilometre were alerted not to come out of their houses. They were advised to clean eyes with a cool wet cloth if they felt any burning sensation.

He further said sanitisation works were implemented on war footing basis. He appealed to people not to believe in rumours. The entire situation has been brought under control.

Except the general manager who met with an unfortunate death, the remaining four staffers are well and safe.