Bhubaneswar: Five women migrant workers from Odisha were among those killed in an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district, prompting the Odisha government to dispatch a team to the southern state and coordinate the return of the victims’ bodies.
The incident occurred on June 21 during routine operations at the seafood processing facility when workers were exposed to ammonia fumes. According to Tamil Nadu authorities, at least 74 workers were affected by the leak. While two deaths were reported on Saturday night, three more workers succumbed to their injuries by Sunday morning, taking the toll to five.
The deceased were identified as Jimani Jiwang (19), Geetha Jiwang, Bhumiya Jiwang (22), Sibani (22) and Phulomani Juanga, all residents of Odisha’s Keonjhar district.
Sixty-seven affected workers remain hospitalised and under medical observation, while two others have been discharged after treatment.
Emergency response teams, including district administration officials, police, fire and rescue personnel, and public health authorities, were deployed immediately after the leak to contain the situation and provide medical assistance.
Odisha Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the state government had convened an urgent meeting soon after receiving information about the tragedy. A three-member team has been sent to Tamil Nadu to assess the situation and facilitate coordination with local authorities.
“The Odisha government is working closely with the Tamil Nadu administration to ensure the bodies of the deceased are brought back to their native places at the earliest,” the minister said.
Health officials stated that the affected workers suffered symptoms consistent with ammonia inhalation, including breathlessness, eye and respiratory tract irritation, persistent coughing and varying degrees of respiratory distress.
The cause of the leak remains under investigation.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay expressed grief over the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund for the families of the deceased.
He has also ordered an inquiry by a three-member committee comprising officials from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Directorate of Public Health. The panel has been directed to submit an interim report within 24 hours and a final report within three days.
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