At least six workers lost their lives, and many others were hospitalized following a suspected ammonia gas leak at a seafood export processing unit near Periyapalayam in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district. The tragic incident occurred at a facility where a significant number of migrant workers, including women from Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand, were employed. The leak, believed to have originated from the unit’s refrigeration or processing system, led to severe breathing difficulties, dizziness, and irritation among the workers.
Panic ensued as workers scrambled for safety and some collapsed due to gas inhalation. Emergency response teams, along with police and local authorities, arrived promptly to conduct rescue operations. The affected workers were rushed to nearby private hospitals for urgent medical care. Initially, one worker was reported dead during treatment, but the death toll has since risen to at least six, with several others in critical condition receiving intensive medical attention.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay expressed concern over the incident and instructed officials to provide necessary medical assistance to the affected workers. He also mandated the formation of a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the leak. The committee has been tasked with conducting an immediate inspection and submitting a detailed report within 24 hours, focusing on safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and potential lapses at the facility. Police have initiated legal proceedings, and investigations are ongoing to determine if any industrial safety violations contributed to the tragedy.
