At least seven workers lost their lives, and many others were hospitalized due to a suspected ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit near Periyapalayam in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district. The incident occurred at a private facility in Kannigaipair village, where a significant number of migrant workers, including women from Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand, were present. The leak, believed to have originated from the unit’s refrigeration or processing system, led to severe breathing issues, dizziness, and irritation among the workers.
Authorities mentioned that around 120 workers were on-site during the leak, with 64 individuals, including 60 women and four men, affected by the toxic gas exposure. Emergency response teams, along with police and local authorities, promptly responded to the situation, shifting the affected workers to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. Despite initial reports of one casualty, the death toll later rose to at least seven as rescue efforts continued.
Currently, 15 workers are under intensive monitoring at a government hospital, while 23 others are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of a private medical facility. An additional 24 workers are under observation at another private hospital, with doctors closely monitoring their respiratory complications resulting from gas inhalation. The Chief Minister announced compensation for the deceased workers’ families and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to assess safety protocols and potential lapses at the facility.
