Tiruvallur ammonia leak death toll climbs to 11, probe finds safety failures

The death toll from the ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur has risen to 11. A high-level probe found critical safety failures, including a non-functional emergency alarm system, inadequate worker training and poor dormitory conditions

Chennai: The death toll following an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing facility in Tiruvallur has risen to 11, even as a high-level probe committee flagged critical safety lapses, including the failure of the emergency alarm system, and raised concerns over the cramped living conditions of migrant workers at the site.

The state government on Thursday announced that 67 individuals are still undergoing medical treatment following the June 21 industrial accident at St Peter & Paul Seafoods Exports Private Limited in the Kannigaipair and Manjangaranai area near Periyapalayam. A high-level committee comprising the director of industrial safety and health, the member-secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), and the additional director of public health has submitted its report to the chief secretary.

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The report noted that many workers lacked basic emergency response training and confirmed earlier allegations that the factory’s emergency alarm failed to sound during the leakage, delaying evacuation.

The probe also highlighted unhygienic and cramped conditions in the workers’ dormitory located inside the factory premises, which primarily housed young women.

Prompted by these findings, the TNPCB is planning to tighten future industrial approvals by mandating worker accommodations outside factory premises and creating sterile buffer zones around hazardous installations.

Notably, a Consent to Operate issued to the firm by the TNPCB in April had required adherence to ambient ammonia standards and public safety provisions.

According to a media bulletin issued by the State Health and Family Welfare Department on Thursday, the incident has resulted in 11 fatalities so far.

The deceased victims include nine from Odisha — identified as Shibani Juanga, Phulomani Juanga, Gumani Juanga, Geeta Juanga, Sujani Juanga, Champabati Juanga, Jamini Juanga, Subasi Juanga, and Rita Juanga — and two from Assam, identified as Sita Hasda and Anjila Soren.

The government stated that the mortal remains of five victims were airlifted to Odisha on June 23, and two additional victims were flown back on June 24. The remains of the other four victims will be transported once legal formalities are completed.

Out of a total of 83 people affected by the leak, 67 individuals — comprising 64 females and three males — remain under medical observation. Health officials confirmed that 16 patients are on ventilator support, 21 are receiving nasal oxygen, and 30 are stable. Five individuals have been successfully discharged.

The workers currently receiving treatment hail from various states, with 32 from Odisha, 16 from Assam, nine from Jharkhand, six from Tamil Nadu, three from Kerala, and one from West Bengal. They are admitted across Vels Hospital, Venkateswara Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Stanley Hospital.

Following the leak, which occurred during routine operations, affected individuals presented with breathlessness, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, coughing, and chest discomfort.

The bulletin added that coordination with district authorities and healthcare institutions remains ongoing.