At least seven guest workers died and over 40 were hospitalised after an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood export unit in Kannigaipair, Tiruvallur district on Sunday. 

According to police sources, around 120 guest workers, including women from Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand, were staying on the factory premises. They were inside their accommodation as it was a holiday. 

The ammonia leak reportedly originated from the seafood processing unit and spread across the premises, affecting several workers. Many complained of breathing difficulties, while some suffered bleeding from the mouth and nose. The affected workers were rushed to nearby private hospitals for treatment, where seven of them died. 

Nine others, who were in critical condition, were later shifted from a private hospital to the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai. Personnel from Periyapalayam police station, Fire and Rescue Services, the revenue department and the health department rushed to the spot and carried out rescue operations.

Following a request from the district administration, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed a specialised Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) response team from Arakkonam. A 30-member team equipped with gas detection devices and other specialised rescue gear was pressed into service. 

Periyapalayam police have registered a case and further investigation is underway. 

Three-member committee formed 

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has instructed to form a Committee to enquire into the incident. 

A three-member committee with director of Industrial Safety and Health, member secretary, Pollution Control Board and additional director of public health has been formed to submit an interim report in 24 hours and final report in three days. He has instructed IT minister /Tiruvallur monitoring minister to rush to Tiruvallur along with the monitoring officer KP Karthikeyan, to give the best possible care to the affected in coordination with district collector and district administration.

Source: Times of India

– Agencies