Thiruvallur: At least two workers lost their lives and 46 others were hospitalised following an ammonia gas leak at a seafood export facility in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvallur district on Sunday. The incident occurred at the St Peter’s and Paul Seafoods Exports unit located in Kannigaipair near Periyapalayam, triggering a major emergency response from local authorities.
Officials said several workers experienced breathing difficulties and other health complications after being exposed to the leaked gas. While most of the affected workers are receiving treatment, five individuals remain in critical condition, raising concerns about the severity of the incident.
Ammonia leak triggers medical emergency
According to preliminary reports, the gas leak occurred at the seafood processing facility during the afternoon. Ammonia, commonly used as an industrial refrigerant in cold storage systems, reportedly escaped from a measure valve installed within the unit.
Soon after the leak, workers began complaining of symptoms including shortness of breath, dizziness and vomiting. The affected employees were evacuated and rushed to nearby hospitals for immediate medical attention.
Emergency services and local authorities responded swiftly to the situation, with ambulances transporting workers from the factory to healthcare facilities in the region.
Visuals from the scene showed medical teams attending to workers as they were shifted for treatment.
All affected workers reported to be migrants
Tamil Nadu Information Technology Minister R Kumar confirmed that all those affected by the gas leak were migrant labourers employed at the seafood export facility.
Authorities have been monitoring the condition of the injured workers, with some patients expected to be shifted to hospitals in Chennai for specialised treatment if required.
Medical officials stated that the next few days would be crucial for those in critical condition, as doctors continue to provide intensive care and monitor their recovery.
Chief Minister orders probe
Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has directed officials to take strict action against those found responsible for the incident and ensure comprehensive support for the affected workers.
Following the incident, the state government constituted a three-member committee to investigate the cause of the gas leak and assess whether safety protocols were followed at the facility.
The panel comprises the Director of Industrial Safety and Health, the Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Additional Director of Public Health.
The committee has been instructed to submit an interim report within 24 hours and a detailed final report within three days.
Officials said the investigation will focus on identifying the exact cause of the leak, evaluating compliance with industrial safety standards and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Government directs medical assistance
The Chief Minister has also instructed the district administration and concerned ministers to ensure that all affected workers receive the best possible medical treatment.
Authorities have been asked to coordinate closely with hospitals and healthcare professionals to guarantee that necessary resources are available for emergency care.
The government is also expected to review compensation and relief measures for the families of the deceased and those injured in the incident.
Governor expresses condolences
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of the deceased workers.
In a statement, the Governor said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment.
He conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families and wished strength and courage to those affected by the incident during this difficult period.
The Governor also expressed hope that all injured workers would recover and return to good health soon.
Industrial safety concerns highlighted
The incident has once again brought attention to industrial safety standards in facilities that use hazardous substances such as ammonia.
Ammonia is widely utilised in refrigeration systems across seafood processing plants, cold storage warehouses and food manufacturing units. While effective for industrial cooling, accidental leaks can pose serious health risks if proper maintenance and safety measures are not followed.
Experts emphasise that regular inspections, equipment maintenance and emergency preparedness are critical in preventing such accidents and protecting workers.
Conclusion
The ammonia gas leak at the seafood export unit in Thiruvallur has resulted in the deaths of two workers and left dozens hospitalised, prompting a government-led investigation into the incident. As authorities work to determine the cause of the leak, attention is focused on the recovery of the injured workers and the implementation of measures to strengthen industrial safety standards across similar facilities.