May 7. (AP)

At least 13 people have been killed by a massive gas leak at a chemical plant in southern India, with hundreds of others taken to hospital.

The leak from the LG Polymers plant in the city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state came as people slept.

Doctors say patients have been complaining of a burning sensation in the eyes and difficulties breathing.

Areas around the plant have been evacuated. The leak may have been due to negligence, officials say.

Reports suggest initial attempts to control the gas leak were unsuccessful but the company and state officials say the situation is now under control.

Rajendra Reddy, a senior official in the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, told the BBC that the leaked gas was styrene, which is usually refrigerated.

India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has called an emergency disaster meeting.

The leak took place at around 03:00 local time (21:30 GMT Wednesday) when plant was being re-opened for the first time since 24 March, when India went into lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“All those who have been hospitalised are currently stable,” BK Naik, a local health official, told Reuters news agency. Some reports said patients were unconscious, or on ventilators.

The state Industries Minister Goutam Reddy told BBC Telugu that it looked as though proper procedures and guidelines were not followed when the South Korean-owned plant was being re-opened.