Tiruvallur: Major operation underway after ammonia gas leak, preparations for safe evacuation intensified
Tamil Nadu: A major operation will be launched today to safely remove ammonia gas from an ammonia leaking plant near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district. This operation will be conducted under the supervision of administrative and technical teams to control the hazardous gas present in the plant and create a completely safe environment. Following the incident, security and emergency services have been put on alert in the area.
The incident involves a private marine fish processing and export factory located in Kannikaipo village near Uthukottai in Tiruvallur district. The factory employs approximately 230 workers from various states, including Odisha, Jharkhand, and Assam. The factory processes and exports fish extensively, for which ammonia gas is used in cold storage and processing units.
On June 21st, a major technical fault at this plant caused a major accident. Approximately 100 people were on duty at the time. It was reported that the ammonia tank was not properly sealed, leading to the gas leak. The situation gradually worsened, and a fire broke out along with the leak. This sudden incident caused panic in the factory premises, and workers ran for cover.
The gas leak severely affected the workers working there. More than 65 people, including 60 women workers, suddenly fell ill. Many began bleeding from their ears and developed small blisters and burns on their bodies. Many workers also experienced difficulty breathing, and some fainted. The situation was so severe that immediate relief and rescue operations were initiated.
Following the incident, all affected workers were immediately admitted to nearby hospitals. They were taken to private hospitals in Manjangaranai and Chengunaram for first aid. Doctors there, seeing the serious condition of several patients, kept them under close observation. As the condition of some patients deteriorated, they were referred to a government hospital in Chennai for further treatment, where their treatment is still ongoing.
This incident has raised many questions about the local administration and the industry’s safety system. Preliminary investigations revealed that the ammonia tank was not properly sealed, leading to a slow leak of gas, leading to this major accident. Experts believe that ignoring industrial safety standards is a major cause of such incidents.
In today’s operation, a team of technical experts will safely remove the remaining ammonia gas from the plant. Specialized equipment and safety gear will be used to prevent any leaks or hazards. The administration has established a security cordon around the surrounding area as a precaution and is monitoring public movement.
According to local authorities, production and work will remain completely halted until the plant is declared completely safe. A detailed investigation has also been ordered to determine who was responsible for the gas leak and where the safety lapses occurred.
Labor organizations have also expressed concern over the incident and demanded appropriate compensation for the affected workers. They say that safety standards should be strictly enforced in such industrial establishments to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Villagers have also questioned the factory management following the incident, stating that previous complaints regarding safety were ignored. An atmosphere of fear and insecurity has prevailed in the area since the incident.
The administration has assured that the entire matter will be investigated in a transparent manner and strict action will be taken against the culprits. It will also ensure that such negligence does not occur in any industrial unit in the future.
Currently, the Tiruvallur district administration and disaster management teams are continuously monitoring the situation. The area will be declared normal only after the safe removal of the gas is completed. Officials say the priority is public safety and the best possible treatment for the affected workers.
Overall, the ammonia gas leak incident in Tiruvallur district highlights a serious industrial safety lapse, following which an operation is underway to safely remove the gas from the plant and an investigation has been expedited.
