A chemical leak at a plant in southern India has killed at least 13 people and hospitalised hundreds.

Toxic gas called styrene leaked from a factory owned by South Korea’s LG Chem in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state at 3am local time.

The incident happened when the plant was being reopened for the first time since lockdowns were imposed on 24th March to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Thousands of people living in close proximity have been directly exposed to the leak and the Indian Government said these people have been evacuated and are being offered medical treatment.

The BBC reports that people have been asked to protect themselves by covering their faces with a wet cloth and that the Indian navy has been helping supply oxygen to patients.