Chennai, June 24: The death toll from the ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing and export unit in Tamil Nadu‘s Tiruvallur district has risen to 10. According to the latest bulletin from the Health and Family Welfare Department, 68 workers are currently receiving treatment in hospitals across Chennai and nearby areas.
The leak occurred on June 21 at the seafood processing unit located near Periyapalayam. During routine operations, several workers were exposed to toxic ammonia gas. Many experienced immediate symptoms such as difficulty breathing, eye irritation, persistent coughing, and respiratory distress, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Officials reported that a total of 83 employees were affected by the incident. Five have since recovered and been discharged, while 68 remain hospitalized. Among those admitted, 17 patients are on ventilator support, and 21 are receiving oxygen therapy.
The condition of 30 other employees is reported to be stable, and they are under observation. The death toll has been steadily increasing since the incident. Two employees died on the night of the gas leak, and by the following day, the number had risen to eight. Another death occurred on June 23, followed by one more on Wednesday, bringing the total to 10.
The affected workers include not only those from Tamil Nadu but also migrant employees from Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, Kerala, and West Bengal. The highest number of affected workers is from Odisha, where 33 individuals are currently being treated.
There are 16 patients from Assam and nine workers from Jharkhand also receiving care. Health officials confirmed that all 10 victims were women, with eight hailing from Odisha and the remaining two from Assam. Injured workers are being treated at Wales Hospital, Venkateshwara Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, and Government Stanley Medical College Hospital.
Authorities have reported that five bodies have already been airlifted to Odisha, while arrangements are being made to send the remaining bodies after legal procedures are completed.
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident. Officials indicated that medical monitoring of the affected workers, environmental monitoring of the factory premises, and a review of industrial safety protocols are currently underway.
Emergency medical teams, police, fire and rescue personnel, and public health officials are actively engaged in relief and monitoring efforts, closely observing the situation.
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