A deadly ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing factory in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has killed seven women workers and hospitalised over 60 others, triggering an official investigation into safety violations at the unit.
The incident occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at St Peter’s Paul Seafoods Exports Private Limited in Manjangaranai village near Periyapalayam. Police confirmed that seven women died during treatment at local hospitals after being affected by the major ammonia leak.
What Happened
Approximately 67 workers were rushed to medical centres following the gas leak. Of these, 23 patients remain in intensive care units while others are stable. The affected workers suffered breathing difficulties, bleeding from mouth and nose, and severe organ damage caused by ammonia inhalation.
The facility employs 134 migrant workers from Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand, including 74 women, who reside on the factory premises. All workers were affected by the incident.
Ammonia is commonly used as a cooling agent in food processing industries for preservation purposes. When released, it depletes oxygen in the human body and immediately affects the brain, with other organs gradually damaged over time.
Government Response
District Collector S. Kavitha visited the factory site immediately after the incident and met with patients at hospitals to oversee relief measures [query].
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed a rescue unit to the location. Fire and Rescue Services, Police, Revenue, and Health departments conducted coordinated rescue operations.
IT Minister R Kumar visited Tiruvallur and confirmed that 23 workers remain in critical condition in ICU facilities.
Governor RV Arlekar issued statements expressing condolences over the deaths and prayed for the speedy recovery of all patients.
Chief Minister Orders Investigation
Chief Minister Vijay announced the formation of a three-member investigative committee to determine the cause of the leak and examine potential safety lapses. The committee includes:
- Industrial Safety and Innspections Director
- secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
- Additional Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
The committee must submit an interim report within 24 hours and a final report within three days.
Suspected Cause
Initial investigations suggest the leak may have originated from a valve failure in the ammonia cooling system used for food preservation at the facility. Authorities are conducting a formal investigation to determine the precise cause and verify whether safety protocols were followed.
Relief and Medical Care
All hospitalised workers are receiving medical treatment at local facilities. Authorities have arranged transportation for affected families and are coordinating with state health departments to ensure adequate care for critically injured workers.
The incident has raised serious concerns about industrial safety standards in food processing facilities across Tamil Nadu, particularly regarding the handling of hazardous cooling gases.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest industrial accidents in Tiruvallur district in recent years, underscoring the need for stricter safety regulations and regular inspections at chemical handling facilities.
