Five Dead After Ammonia Gas Leak at Tiruvallur Seafood Processing Unit
Five people have died following an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing unit in Kannigaipair–Manjankaranai, near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district. The death toll rose to five by Monday morning after three more workers passed away overnight, according to a bulletin released by the Health Department.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has affected a total of 74 people. Health officials reported that two deaths had been confirmed by 8:00 PM on Sunday. The three additional fatalities were recorded overnight, bringing the total number of deaths to five by 7:00 AM on Monday.
Currently, 67 workers remain under treatment and medical observation across four hospitals, while two patients have been discharged. The hospitalized workers are being treated at various medical facilities in the region.
Of the 67 patients undergoing treatment, 29 are admitted to Vels Medical College Hospital, and 18 are at Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital. Additionally, 10 patients are receiving care at Stanley Medical College Hospital, and another 10 are at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
Several of the hospitalized patients are currently on ventilator support or are receiving intensive care and oxygen support. According to health officials, the affected workers exhibited symptoms consistent with ammonia inhalation, including severe breathlessness, respiratory distress, coughing, and eye irritation.
Emergency response efforts began immediately after the leak was reported on Sunday. Emergency medical teams, district administration officials, police, and fire and rescue personnel were mobilised to the site to manage the situation.
Health Secretary Darez Ahmed stated that the exact cause of the ammonia gas leak is currently under investigation. He noted that continuous monitoring of the affected workers is being carried out to watch for possible respiratory complications. Furthermore, authorities have initiated environmental monitoring of the seafood processing premises and have started a review of the facility's industrial safety systems and emergency response protocols.
