New Delhi: A major industrial accident occurred at a private seafood processing factory in Manjangaranai near Periyapalayam in Tamil Nadu, where an ammonia gas leak claimed the lives of seven women undergoing treatment on Sunday.
According to Tiruvallur District Collector S. Kavitha, a total of 67 workers were affected by the gas leak and were immediately shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Officials said 46 workers are being treated at Vels Hospital, while 21 others have been admitted to Venkateswara Hospital. Nine critically ill patients were later referred to Chennai’s Government Stanley Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment.
A senior doctor at a private hospital said most of the affected workers are women aged between 24 and 25 years. He added that medical teams are closely monitoring their condition, including pulse rate and blood pressure levels, which remain low in some cases.
“The patients are alive and under constant observation. Since they are young, we are hopeful of their recovery. We are also making arrangements to shift four to five critically ill patients to a government hospital for advanced treatment,” the doctor said.
Meanwhile, District Collector S. Kavitha visited the factory to assess the situation and later met the injured workers at hospitals. Authorities have ordered a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the suspected valve malfunction that led to the ammonia leak.
The inquiry will also examine whether there were any lapses in safety measures at the export-oriented seafood processing unit. Officials said further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
