Mangaluru: A major ammonia gas leak at a fish processing plant in the Baikampady industrial area on Thursday afternoon left 25 workers ill, with four in critical condition.
The incident occurred around 4:30 pm, when a leak was detected in an ammonia transport pipe inside the facility. Workers stationed nearby began experiencing severe breathing difficulty, prompting the emergency alarm to be triggered.
Over 200 employees, working in shifts, were immediately evacuated to safety. The company’s management acted swiftly to transport the affected to a private hospital in Mukkampady, where four North Indian workers have been placed in the ICU due to serious exposure.
Emergency response units from MCF and the fire department arrived at the site to contain the leak and ensure the area was safe. Mangaluru Tahsildar, Sub-Tahsildar, revenue officials, and a team from Panambur Police Station visited the plant to assess the situation and initiate legal proceedings.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the leak and reviewing the company’s safety protocols to prevent future incidents.