Chennai, June 18: A sulphuric acid leak was detected at a unit at the Sterlite copper plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, which was shut last month after protests, on Sunday evening. The leak was reported to be minor and was detected at a godown of Sterlite copper plant. reports say close to 50,000 litre of leakage was reported. At least 13 people were killed in police firing after violent protests against the Sterlite plant last month.

Officials who examined the leak on Sunday said that there was no need to panic and that the leak would be plugged. "There is no need to panic about the sulphuric acid leak as it is very minor and will be plugged," District Collector Sandeep Nanduri said urging people not to believe rumours.

"The process of removing leakage in the sulpuric acid warehouse at the plant has begun. All necessary security protocols are being followed," Nanduri said.

He added that experts from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, departments of Labour and Revenue, and police inspected the unit on getting information and found a small quantity of sulphuric acid was leaking from the godown. According to reports, the leak was detected after two hours of inspection.

Thirteen people were killed in police firing on May 22 and 23 after violence broke out at the protest by locals, demanding closure of the plant over pollution issues. Following the protests, the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi was shut down permanently by the state government.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2018 10:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).