Tiruvallur ammonia leak death toll rises to 11 as another worker dies

An ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing facility in the Tiruvallur district has claimed another life, bringing the total death toll from the industrial accident to 11. According to the latest medical bulletin released by the health department on Thursday, 67 other workers continue to receive treatment at various hospitals in Chennai and Tiruvallur.

The hazardous gas leak affected a total of 83 workers who were present at the private processing unit. Out of these affected individuals, 67 patients remain under close medical observation in the local hospitals. The health department's breakdown of the hospitalised victims shows that the vast majority are women, with 64 women and three men currently admitted.

Among the patients still undergoing treatment in the hospital wards, 16 workers are currently on ventilator support due to severe respiratory complications. Another 21 patients are receiving oxygen through nasal support, while 30 of the hospitalised workers are reported to be in stable condition. So far, a total of five workers have been successfully discharged after recovering from the gas inhalation.

The health department also shared official details regarding the victims who lost their lives in the tragedy. The 11 deceased workers include nine individuals from Odisha and two from Assam. The mortal remains of seven of the victims have already been airlifted back to Odisha. Meanwhile, official arrangements are underway to transport the mortal remains of the remaining four victims to their respective home states once all legal formalities are completed.

The affected workforce at the unit represents several states across India. Of the 67 workers currently hospitalised in Chennai and Tiruvallur, 32 are from Odisha, 16 are from Assam, nine are from Jharkhand, six are from Tamil Nadu, three are from Kerala, and one is from West Bengal.

Following the leak at the private seafood processing facility, the owner and the manager of the factory were arrested by the authorities.