Tiruvallur ammonia gas leak incident: Death toll rises to 18, investigation intensifies
Tamil Nadu: The death toll in the ammonia gas leak incident at a private seafood export factory near Uthukottai in Tiruvallur district is steadily rising. According to the latest information, two more people have died, bringing the total death toll to 18. The accident has sparked serious concern and administrative unrest in the entire area.
The incident occurred on June 21st in Kannikaipere village, near Uthukottai in Tiruvallur district. A private company processes and exports seafood. The ammonia gas leak occurred at the factory, causing the workers to suffer from severe respiratory problems.
Approximately 80 workers were affected at the time of the gas leak, many of whom were from northern states. After exposure to the gas, the workers developed severe breathing problems, and several fainted on the spot. The workers were immediately hospitalized, but their conditions continued to deteriorate.
By June 28, 16 people had been confirmed dead in the accident. Subsequently, another death was reported during treatment. Anjana Juang, a 25-year-old woman from Odisha, succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at Stanley Hospital in Chennai on Wednesday morning (July 1). Her condition had remained critical for several days.
In addition, Maharana Juang, a 29-year-old woman from Odisha, who was admitted to the same hospital, also died. With their deaths, the death toll in the accident has risen to 18. The families of the victims are deeply saddened by the continued deaths, and the condition of other patients undergoing treatment in hospitals is being monitored.
Following the incident, teams from the local administration and the Disaster Management Department arrived at the scene. The factory area was sealed off, and an investigation into the cause of the gas leak began. Preliminary investigations have revealed that safety standards may have been ignored at the factory, although official confirmation will be made only after the investigation report is released.
This accident has also raised serious questions about industrial safety. Experts say that strict adherence to safety measures is essential in factories using chemical gases to prevent such incidents.
Following the gas leak, several workers were immediately admitted to nearby hospitals. Critically ill patients were referred to Stanley Hospital in Chennai. According to doctors, the condition of several patients remains critical and they are undergoing treatment.
The state government has taken this incident seriously and ordered a detailed investigation. Relevant departments have been directed to thoroughly examine the factory’s safety systems, gas storage systems, and operating procedures. It is also investigating whether any regulations were violated.
Local residents say that questions have been raised about the factory’s safety measures in the past, but they were not taken seriously. Now, after this major accident, there are demands for safety inspections of industrial units throughout the region.
This incident has once again highlighted the serious consequences of ignoring safety standards in industrial areas. After the death of 18 people, there is now pressure on the administration to take strict action in this matter and prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
