NEW DELHI: At least seven workers were killed and more than 70 others were hospitalised after an ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing and export facility in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, officials said.
The incident occurred at a private seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur district, near Periyapalayam, after ammonia leaked from the facility’s refrigeration system and spread across parts of the factory, according to officials.
Workers exposed to the gas complained of breathing difficulties, while some suffered bleeding from the mouth and nose, officials said. Several people were reported to be in critical condition.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay confirmed the incident in a statement posted on X, saying the deaths were caused by an ammonia gas leak at a seafood factory in Tiruvallur district.
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
India’s public broadcaster All India Radio reported that seven factory workers were killed and more than 70 others were admitted to hospital. Officials said all seven fatalities were women.
Emergency response teams, including personnel from the police, disaster management, fire and emergency services, and health departments, were rushed to the site shortly after the leak was reported.
India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with specialised chemical, biological and nuclear response teams, launched rescue operation while working to contain the leak.
A senior police officer in Tiruvallur district told The Hindu newspaper that the affected facility, Peter & Paul Seafood Export Company, processes and exports shrimp.
The officer said an ammonia leak from a gas tank caused workers, many of whom were migrant labourers from northern India, to struggle for breath.
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan told The Hindu that emergency medical teams had been dispatched to assist victims.
“Two special teams of senior doctors from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital have been rushed to Periyapalayam, while another team of doctors from Tiruvallur GH has also been deployed at the site,” he said.
According to reports, around 120 workers were present at the facility when the leak occurred, triggering panic inside the factory.
