Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday expressed shock and grief after an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood export processing unit in Kannigaiper village near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district left two women dead and 62 others affected.
According to an official statement, the leak occurred unexpectedly in the production section of the factory, affecting 64 workers, including 60 women and four men. The deceased were identified as Jumani Juwang, 19, and Malothi, 20, both natives of Odisha and employees of the facility.
Of the affected workers, 15 have been admitted to government hospitals and are under intensive observation. Another 23 are undergoing treatment in ICUs at private hospitals, while 24 others remain under observation in private hospitals.
The Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund. He also directed officials to arrange, at government expense, the transportation of the bodies to their native state and the conduct of final rites.
Vijay instructed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. A team comprising officials from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, the Directorate of Public Health and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has been asked to submit a preliminary report within 24 hours and a comprehensive report within three days.
He also directed officials to facilitate compensation for the affected workers and the victims’ families under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme and the Employees’ Compensation Act.
To prevent similar incidents, the Chief Minister ordered immediate joint inspections of hazardous industries across the state. The Information Technology Minister, local MLA, district monitoring officer, a senior IAS officer and the District Collector have been asked to visit the site, oversee relief measures and ensure assistance to the affected families.
Authorities said rescue, relief and investigation efforts were continuing.
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