Chennai, June 22:
The death toll in the ammonia gas leak at a shrimp processing unit in Kannigaipair near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district has risen to five, even as 67 workers continue to undergo treatment across multiple hospitals in Chennai and neighbouring districts.
According to a Health and Family Welfare Department bulletin, a total of 74 individuals were affected when the gas leak occurred at the facility in the Kannigaipair–Manjangaranai area on Sunday. While two fatalities were reported by Sunday evening, three more workers succumbed to their injuries overnight, pushing the toll to five. Two patients have since been discharged after receiving treatment.
Officials said those exposed to the ammonia gas experienced symptoms such as breathlessness, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, persistent coughing, chest discomfort, and severe respiratory distress. Several patients remain in critical condition, with some requiring ventilator support and intensive medical monitoring.
Of the 67 patients currently undergoing treatment, 29 have been admitted to Vels Medical College Hospital, 18 to Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital, 10 to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, and another 10 to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Medical teams are closely monitoring their condition, with emergency care facilities fully mobilised to handle the situation.
Emergency response teams, including ambulances, fire and rescue services, police personnel, and public health officials, were rushed to the site immediately after the incident. District authorities coordinated swift evacuation and medical assistance efforts to ensure timely treatment for those affected.
The Health Department has stated that it is continuously monitoring the situation and ensuring the availability of adequate medical care and resources for all patients. Authorities have also launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the gas leak.
In the wake of the incident, officials have called for a comprehensive review of industrial safety measures, emergency response protocols, and mandatory safety audits of similar facilities across the district to prevent such accidents in the future.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over industrial safety standards and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations to safeguard workers in hazardous environments.