Chennai: The death toll in the ammonia gas leak accident at a private fish meal export factory in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has risen to five after three more women succumbed to their injuries, the state Health and Family Welfare Department said on Monday.
The incident occurred on June 21 at a production unit located in Kannigaipair village near Periyapalayam. According to the department, a total of 74 workers were affected after ammonia gas leaked during routine operations in the Kannigaipair-Manjangaranai area.
Two workers had died by 8 pm on the day of the incident, while three additional fatalities were reported overnight, taking the overall death toll to five.
Authorities said 67 workers remain under treatment at various hospitals, while two patients have been discharged after receiving medical care.
Following the leak, emergency response teams, including health officials, district administration personnel, police and fire and rescue services, were rushed to the site to manage the situation and assist affected workers.
Victims exposed to the gas reportedly suffered symptoms associated with ammonia inhalation, including breathing difficulties, persistent coughing, chest pain, respiratory distress and irritation of the eyes and airways.
Of the patients currently receiving treatment, 29 are admitted to Vels Medical College Hospital, where eight are on ventilator support, 11 are in intensive care receiving oxygen support and 10 are reported to be stable.
At Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital, 18 patients are undergoing treatment, including eight on ventilators and 10 in stable condition.
Stanley Medical College Hospital is treating 10 patients, of whom five are on ventilators, one is receiving non-invasive ventilation support and four are stable.
Another 10 patients are admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, where all are currently on ventilator support.
The state Health Department said the exact cause of the ammonia leak remains under investigation and competent authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the industrial accident.
