Ammonia gas leak at Tamil Nadu seafood unit kills at least five, dozens hospitalised

The ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur district, near Chennai, has emerged as one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest industrial disasters in recent years. This report traces what exactly happened, through eyewitness accounts, survivor testimonies, and medical evidence. The incident also raises serious questions about industrial safety, emergency preparedness, and the conditions of migrants employed far away from home

At least 9 people have died and around 69 others have been hospitalised after an ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing plant in the Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. The incident has raised concerns about ammonia poisoning and the dangers associated with industrial gas leaks. So, what exactly is ammonia poisoning? What are the symptoms? How is it treated?

All victims are women, including seven from Odisha and two from Assam, says government.

Tragedy struck a seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur as an ammonia gas leak claimed its ninth victim, an Assam resident, on Tuesday. All nine deceased are women. The incident, which occurred during routine operations, left many workers with severe respiratory issues. Health officials are now urging continuous monitoring for delayed complications and safety audits across similar facilities.

Chennai: The toll in Tamil Nadu’s deadly ammonia gas leak tragedy rose to seven with five more women workers of a private seafood factory succumbing to severe health complications arising out of inhaling the noxious fumes. The ammonia gas had leaked from a pipeline connected to the ice flake machine facility at St Peter and Paul Seafood Exports Pvt Ltd near Periyapayalam in Tiruvallur district, adjoining the State capital Chennai. While two women had died on Sunday, five succumbed in hospitals, three in the morning and two later in the day. All victims were migrant workers, mostly hailing from Odisha. Leak Origin IdentifiedEarlier in the day, Labour Minister J Mohamed Farvas in a suo motu statement told the Legislative Assembly five women had died (toll went up later) and in all 74 workers including four men were affected. He said the State will bear the expenses to transport their mortal remains to their native places. Stating a committee would complete its inquiry into the industrial accident within 72 hours, he said the Government has also decided to constitute a panel to inspect over 6,600 hazardous factory units situated across the State to ensure such tragedies did not occur. Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah Warns Against Corruption In Transfers, Stresses Integrity And Revenue GrowthThe Health Department, in a media bulletin, said over 60 persons were currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals. Among them 31 were on ventilator, 11 in the ICU with oxygen support and one on non-invasive ventilator support. 

A devastating ammonia leak at a seafood processing plant in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district has claimed five lives and hospitalized 67. The incident highlights the dangers of ammonia, a common refrigerant in the export industry, when containment fails. The corrosive gas causes severe respiratory and eye damage, with delayed complications posing ongoing risks. Authorities are reviewing safety measures and monitoring the environment for community impact.