Dozens of workers hospitised after Ammonia gas lead in India. PHOTO: ANADOLU
An ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing unit in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Sunday killed seven workers and hospitalised more than 70 others, officials said.
The incident occurred as a result of an ammonia gas leak at a seafood factory in the Tiruvallur district, said a statement posted on X by the state’s Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டம், ஊத்துக்கோட்டை வட்டம், கன்னிகைபேர் கிராமத்தில் தனியார் மீன் உணவு ஏற்றுமதி தொழிற்சாலையில் அம்மோனியா வாயு கசிவினால் ஏற்பட்ட விபத்து – மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் ஆறுதல் மற்றும் நிதியுதவி அறிவிப்பு pic.twitter.com/ogUDVLs97e
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) June 21, 2026
Seven factory workers were killed in the incident, with over 70 others admitted to the hospital, public broadcaster All India Radio reported.
The country’s National Disaster Response Force, along with specialised chemical, biological, and nuclear response teams, launched an “immediate rescue operation and worked to contain the leak under strict safety protocols”, it said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” to learn about the accident.
Deeply pained to hear about the loss of lives due to a mishap in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 21, 2026
“I convey my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this incident,” Modi’s office wrote on X.
Personnel from the police, disaster management, fire and emergency services, and health were immediately rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operations.
A 30-member team equipped with gas detection devices and other specialised rescue gear has been pressed into service to fix the leak.