Tiruvallur Ammonia Gas Leak Death Toll Rises to 15 as Two More Workers Die

The death toll from a major ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur district, near Chennai, rose to 15 on Friday after two more workers succumbed to complications.

The industrial accident has affected a total of 83 workers at the processing facility. Currently, 40 of these affected workers remain under close medical observation across multiple hospitals. However, a health bulletin noted that their conditions have improved significantly over the past 24 hours.

The two workers who died on Friday were identified as Budhubari Naik and Priti Devi. Budhubari Naik, who hailed from Odisha, was undergoing treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) before passing away. Priti Devi, who was from Jharkhand, also died on Friday due to complications arising from the gas inhalation.

Medical data released by the hospitals shows that the 15 deaths occurred across four different healthcare facilities. Six of the fatalities were reported at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, five at the Stanley Medical College Hospital, three at Vels Hospital, and one at Venkateswara Hospital.

Of the 40 workers currently still under medical observation, 38 are women and two are men. The number of critically ill patients has dropped sharply. Only two patients are now on ventilator support across the hospitals, while nine others are receiving oxygen through nasal support. The remaining 29 patients are reported to be in stable condition.

Meanwhile, authorities are coordinating the transport of the deceased workers back to their home states. The mortal remains of 11 victims have already been airlifted to Odisha, and two have been transported to Assam. The bodies of the final two victims will be sent back to their native places once all legal formalities are completed.