Published Jun 28, 2026 | 2:01 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 28, 2026 | 2:01 PM
Death. Representative image. (iStock)
Synopsis: 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 to 16. The victims largely belong to migrant communities from Odisha, with the majority identified from Kendujhar district, while others are from Assam and Jharkhand.
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 to 16, according to the latest official data released by authorities.
A closer look at the list of victims shows that all 16 deceased are women migrant workers, raising fresh concerns over worker safety and the vulnerability of women employed in hazardous industrial operations.
The victims largely belong to migrant communities from Odisha, with the majority identified from Kendujhar district, while others are from Assam and Jharkhand.
Officials said 83 workers were affected by the toxic ammonia gas leak reported on 21 June, with 26 people still receiving treatment and medical observation. Among them, 25 are females, and one is a male. Authorities also noted that one patient is on ventilator support
Meanwhile, the mortal remains of 12 victims were airlifted to Odisha and two victims to Assam.
Mortal remains of the other two victims will also be transported in due course of time, once all legal formalities are completed, the authorities said in a press release.
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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.)
