Ammonia Gas Leak Kills Seven Women Workers in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, Seven workers, all women hailing from Odisha, died and 68 others were hospitalised following an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export facility in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district, officials said on Monday.

According to a media bulletin issued by the state Health and Family Welfare Department, the toxic industrial chemical leak occurred during routine industrial operations on June 21, at the facility located in the Kannigaipair/Manjungaranai area near Periyapalayam.

A total of 77 people were affected by the gas inhalation. While two persons have been discharged, 68 workers are currently undergoing treatment and remain under medical observation across various government and private hospitals.

All seven fatalities were migrant workers from Odisha.

The condition of those hospitalised is being closely monitored. Out of the 68 patients currently receiving treatment, 28 are admitted to Vels Hospital, 18 at Venkateswara Hospital, 12 at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), and 10 at Stanley Hospital.

A state-wise breakdown of the affected workers under treatment reveals that the majority belong to Odisha (29) and Assam (20), followed by Jharkhand (8), Tamil Nadu (5), Kerala (3), and West Bengal (1), while the state of origin for two individuals is yet to be confirmed.

Affected individuals primarily presented with severe symptoms of ammonia inhalation, including acute breathlessness, coughing, chest discomfort, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract.

Following the leak, emergency medical teams, ambulances, police personnel, and fire and rescue services were swiftly deployed alongside district administration and public health authorities to manage the crisis.

The Health Department stated that the situation remains under active surveillance, with continuous environmental monitoring of the affected premises underway.

An official investigation into the exact source and cause of the leak has been initiated by competent authorities, and occupational health and safety audits of similar facilities in the district have been recommended.

Meanwhile, Odisha's Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia on Monday said efforts are being made to bring back the mortal remains of the women who died to their native place in Keonjhar district as soon as possible.

Odisha Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathy told PTI, "Our officers are at the spot, and they have confirmed that five women from Odisha have died."

Expressing grief over the deaths, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh from the CM's Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased worker.

The Odisha government is in constant touch with the Tamil Nadu officials to ensure treatment and other assistance for the affected workers, an official statement said.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg held discussions with her Tamil Nadu counterpart on Sunday, it said.

A team of Odisha government officials has also rushed to Tamil Nadu and is coordinating with local authorities on treatment, post-mortem formalities and other arrangements, it added.

One official, M M Paik, will remain in Chennai for coordination regarding post-mortem examinations and other related procedures, the statement said. Two other officers have proceeded to Tiruvallur, it said.