Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday expressed profound grief over an ammonia gas leakage incident in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district, which left several workers affected, including a significant number of migrant labourers from Odisha.
Taking to his official account on X, CM Majhi extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of those hospitalised.
The Chief Minister assured that the Odisha government is maintaining constant communication with the Tamil Nadu administration and has immediately dispatched senior state officials to travel to the site and provide direct support to the affected workers and their families.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic ammonia gas leakage incident in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, which has affected several workers, including Odia workers. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. The Odisha Government is in constant touch with the Tamil Nadu authorities. Three senior officers are travelling to Tiruvallur to coordinate assistance and extend all possible support to the affected workers and their families,” the CM said in the post.
The incident took place at a private seafood export processing facility in Kannigaiper village near Periyapalayam, where an unexpected rupture or leak of ammonia gas in the factory’s production section affected dozens of workers.
An official statement issued by the Tamil Nadu government said that a total of 64 workers, comprising 60 women and four men, suffered medical distress from inhaling the toxic fumes. Tragically, seven, inlucidng two women, succumbed to the exposure, while dozens of others had to be rushed to nearby medical facilities.
Among the affected workers, 15 patients were admitted to state-run government hospitals for intensive medical observation, while 23 were battling severe exposure in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of various private facilities. An additional 24 workers are currently listed under medical observation across private medical centres.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expressed profound shock and grief over the industrial disaster and announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased.
To determine the exact cause of the security failure, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister ordered the creation of a high-level three-member investigative committee compromising representatives from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and the Directorate of Public Health. The investigative panel has been directed to submit an initial interim report within 24 hours and a conclusive investigative report within three days.
Authorities have also launched rescue, relief and monitoring operations at the site, with teams from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed to assist local administration and ensure public safety.
