Ammonia Gas Leak In Tamil Nadu Kills Nine Women, Death Toll Continues Rising
Ammonia leak incident in Tamil Nadu kills nine women, investigation underway.
The death toll in the ammonia gas leak tragedy at a seafood processing and export unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has risen to nine, with all the deceased identified as women, according to a state government statement issued on Tuesday. The incident occurred during routine industrial operations on June 21 and has triggered a detailed investigation by authorities.
The leak took place at a private seafood processing facility in the Kannigaipair–Manjungarai area near Periyapalayam, close to Chennai. Officials said the chemical release occurred during normal operations, leading to sudden exposure of workers inside the unit. Emergency response teams were later deployed to control the situation and provide medical assistance to those affected.
A health department press release confirmed that as of June 23, nine fatalities had been reported. The victims have been identified as Shibani, Jumani Juang, Geetha Juanga, Purnima Juanga, Champabati Juanga, Parbavathi Juanga — all from Odisha — along with Sita Hasda and Anjila Soren from Assam. Authorities have not yet released details about the ninth victim in the initial identification list but confirmed the total death count.
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Officials reported that those affected by the leak exhibited symptoms consistent with ammonia inhalation. These included breathlessness, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, persistent coughing, chest discomfort, and varying levels of respiratory distress. Several others were treated for exposure and monitored for complications following the incident.
The government has stated that the exact cause of the ammonia leak is under investigation by competent authorities. Preliminary assessments suggest the incident occurred during routine industrial activity, but safety protocols and equipment handling are expected to be closely examined as part of the probe.
Industrial safety experts note that ammonia exposure can be highly dangerous, particularly in enclosed spaces, and can cause severe respiratory damage within minutes of high-level exposure. The tragedy has raised renewed concerns about workplace safety standards in chemical processing units, especially those handling hazardous substances in coastal industrial zones.
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