Source The Hindu
TIRUVALLUR, TAMIL NADU — A catastrophic ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export facility in Kannigaipair, near Periyapalayam, has left at least seven women dead and over 60 workers hospitalized.
The incident occurred on Sunday at St. Peter’s Paul Seafoods Exports Private Limited, where a massive leak of toxic ammonia gas—commonly used as a cooling agent in food preservation—spread rapidly across the factory premises, catching resident workers off guard.
Overnight Tragedy inside Employee Quarters
The facility was housing approximately 120 to 134 migrant workers, primarily young women from northern and eastern states like Odisha, Assam, and Jharkhand. Because Sunday was the factory’s weekly holiday, many labourers were resting inside the company-provided accommodations on the campus when the gas began to leak.
Witnesses and rescue officials stated that the toxic fumes quickly blanketed the residential area inside the compound. Workers suddenly woke up experiencing acute breathing difficulties, severe coughing, and in some extreme cases, bleeding from the mouth and nose.
Incident OverviewDetails
LocationSt. Peter’s Paul Seafoods, Tiruvallur District, TN
Casualties7 women confirmed dead
Hospitalized67 workers admitted; 9 in critical condition
Affected PopulationMigrant workers from Odisha, Assam, & Jharkhand
Hazardous AgentAmmonia gas (industrial coolant)
Emergency Response and Critical Care
Following an emergency alert from the Tiruvallur district administration, local police, fire and rescue services, and health departments rushed to the site. A specialized 30-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) team from the 4th Battalion in Arakkonam was deployed to seal the leak, isolate the hazardous zone, and evacuate the remaining workers.
Tiruvallur District Collector S. Kavitha confirmed that 67 affected workers were moved to nearby medical centers.
46 patients are currently receiving treatment at Vels Hospital.
21 patients were taken to Venkateshwara Hospital.
9 critically ill patients requiring advanced ventilation and intubation have been shifted via 108 ambulances to the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai.
Medical personnel noted that the majority of those affected are young women aged between 24 and 25 years. While several remain on ventilator support with low blood pressure, doctors are closely monitoring their vitals.
Government Action and Investigation Launched
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay expressed his deep condolences to the families of the deceased and announced an immediate compensation of ₹2 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.
The state government has ordered a high-level probe into the industrial disaster, constituting a three-member committee consisting of:
The Director of Industrial Safety and Health
The Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB)
The Additional Director of Public Health
The committee has been mandated to submit an interim finding report within 24 hours and a comprehensive final report within three days to establish the exact cause of the valve failure and investigate potential safety lapses.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar issued statements grieving the loss of lives and praying for the rapid recovery of the injured workers. Local police have registered a formal case and secured the factory owners for questioning as investigations continue.
