Tiruvallur: 9 workers die in ammonia gas leak at seafood factory; treatment underway at several hospitals.
Tamil Nadu: The death toll from the ammonia gas leak incident at a seafood processing and export factory in Kannaikappar village, near Uthukkottai in Tiruvallur district, has risen to nine. The incident occurred on Sunday while the processing of marine fish—specifically shrimp—was underway. Following the gas leak, a fire suddenly broke out within the factory premises, causing panic among the workers.
More than 65 workers from various North Indian states were affected by the incident. Many were rushed to the hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties, suffocation, and physical injuries. Initially, all of them were admitted to the Manjanagaranai Private Medical College Hospital in Tiruvallur for treatment.
Two of the hospitalized women died during the initial phase of treatment. Subsequently, 17 critically injured workers were referred to two major hospitals in Chennai—Stanley Government Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital—for advanced care.
Geeta Aastha (24) from Assam and Sabini (22) from Odisha, who were admitted to Stanley Hospital in Chennai, were undergoing treatment; however, their condition steadily deteriorated, and both passed away on Monday. Similarly, three workers from Odisha—Purnima, Dilomi, and 19-year-old Parthi Jinga—who were admitted to the Manjanagaranai Private Medical College Hospital, also succumbed during treatment.
Following these deaths, the initial toll had reached eight. However, the subsequent death of another critically injured worker brought the total number of fatalities to nine.
Anjila Surin (26) from Assam, who was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, was also undergoing treatment. She had been kept under constant monitoring due to her critical condition but passed away today, bringing the total death toll from the incident to nine.
Heavy security arrangements have been put in place in the factory area following the incident, and the administration has initiated an investigation. According to initial reports, the situation was exacerbated by a fire that broke out following an ammonia gas leak, leaving the workers with no time to escape.
Many workers are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals. Some are reported to be in critical condition, while others have been kept under observation after receiving first aid. A team of doctors is continuously monitoring the condition of the injured.
The local administration and disaster management team have inspected the site, and an investigation into the cause of the gas leak is underway. Questions are also being raised regarding safety standards and the gas systems at the factory.
This incident raises serious questions about the safety measures in place at industrial units operating in the area. A pall of gloom has descended on the workers’ families, and many are anxious about the condition of their loved ones.
