Chennai, June 22:
The death toll from an ammonia gas leak at a shrimp processing unit in Kanigaipair, near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district, has risen to five, while 67 workers are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Chennai and neighboring districts.
According to a bulletin from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 74 people were affected by the gas leak at the unit, located in the Kanigaipair-Manjangaranai area, on Sunday. While two deaths were reported by Sunday evening, three more workers died overnight, bringing the total death toll to five. Two patients have been discharged following treatment.
Officials stated that those exposed to the ammonia gas experienced symptoms such as breathing difficulties, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, persistent coughing, chest discomfort, and severe respiratory distress. The condition of several patients remains critical, with some requiring ventilator support and intensive medical monitoring.
Of the 67 patients currently undergoing treatment, 29 have been admitted to Vels Medical College Hospital, 18 to Venkateswara Medical College Hospital, 10 to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, and 10 to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Medical teams are closely monitoring their condition, and emergency care facilities are fully prepared to handle the situation.
Immediately following the incident, emergency response teams—including ambulances, fire and rescue services, police personnel, and public health officials—were dispatched to the site. The district administration acted swiftly to evacuate the affected individuals and provide medical assistance.
The Health Department stated that it is continuously monitoring the situation and ensuring the availability of adequate medical care and resources for all patients. Officials have also initiated a detailed investigation into the cause of the gas leak. Following this incident, officials have called for a comprehensive review of industrial safety measures, emergency response protocols, and mandatory safety audits for similar units across the district to prevent such accidents in the future.
This tragedy has once again highlighted the need for the strict enforcement of industrial safety standards and regulations regarding the safety of workers operating in hazardous environments.
Death toll in the Thiruvallur ammonia leak rises to five.
