Published Jun 26, 2026 | 12:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 26, 2026 | 2:00 PM
Death. Representative image. (iStock)
Synopsis: The death toll in the ammonia gas leak incident at a private seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur has risen to 13, with two more workers succumbing to the injuries. Officials said 83 workers were affected by the toxic ammonia gas leak reported on 21 June, with 43 people continuing to remain under treatment and medical observation.
The death toll in the ammonia gas leak incident at a private seafood processing unit near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu has risen further, with one more worker succumbing to the injuries on Friday, 26 June, taking the total fatalities to 14.
A 29-year-old woman from Jharkhand, identified as Preethi Devi, who had been undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, died on Friday after treatment failed.
Two workers had died on Thursday. According to the update from the Tamil Nadu Health Department, Sumithra and Pinky Juanga, both workers from Odisha, died on Thursday while undergoing treatment.
Officials said 83 workers were affected by the toxic ammonia gas leak reported on 21 June, with 42 people continuing to remain under treatment and medical observation.
Most of the victims are migrant workers from Odisha and Assam, while authorities said the exact cause of the industrial accident remains under investigation.
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The incident occurred during routine operations at the factory located near Periyapalayam/Kannigaipettai/Manjankarani area.
Official sources said 64 employees, 60 women and four men, were inside the facility at the time of the incident and were exposed to the gas.
A case has been registered under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death not amounting to culpable homicide. Two people — Mohan and Joseph, owners of the facility, were arrested.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had ordered an investigation to be carried out jointly by the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, the Public Health Department and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident.
He had also announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund to the families of the deceased. The government will also bear the cost of transporting the bodies to the victims’ native State for their last rites.
Vijay also instructed officials to ensure specialised treatment for the injured workers and initiate compensation proceedings under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme and the Workmen’s Compensation Act.
In the wake of the incident, he ordered immediate inspections of hazardous industrial units across Tamil Nadu to identify potential safety lapses and prevent similar accidents from recurring.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
