Photo: Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tiruvallur Ammonia Gas Leak: Death Toll Rises to Five, 67 Persons Under Treatment
22 June 20261 viewsBy Namma Tamil Nadu
The death toll in the ammonia gas leak incident in Tiruvallur district has risen to five, while 67 affected individuals are currently undergoing treatment and observation in various hospitals, according to an official bulletin issued by the Tamil Nadu Health Department.
The death toll in the ammonia gas leak incident reported in Tiruvallur district has increased to five, according to an official media bulletin released by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, on Monday (June 22, 2026).
The industrial accident occurred on June 21 at a private seafood processing and export unit located in the Kannigaipair-Manjangaranai area near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district.
According to the Health Department, the workers exposed to ammonia gas suffered symptoms including breathlessness, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, coughing, chest discomfort and varying degrees of respiratory distress.
Initially, two deaths had been reported till 8 p.m. on June 21. However, as of 7 a.m. on June 22, three more fatalities were recorded, taking the total number of deaths to five.
74 Persons Affected
A total of 74 individuals were reported to have been affected by the incident.
Of them, 67 persons are currently undergoing treatment and are under medical observation, while two individuals have been discharged.
Emergency medical teams and ambulances were mobilised immediately after the incident. Officials from the district administration, police, fire and rescue services, and the Health Department responded swiftly to the situation.
Patients Undergoing Treatment in Four Hospitals
According to the official bulletin, affected persons are receiving treatment in four hospitals.
Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital
18 cases have been reported.
Eight patients are on ventilator support.
Ten patients are in stable condition.
Vels Medical College Hospital
29 patients have been admitted.
Eight patients are on ventilator support.
Eleven patients are being treated in the ICU with oxygen support.
Ten patients are stable.
Stanley Medical College Hospital
Ten patients are under treatment and observation.
Five patients are on ventilators.
One patient is receiving Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV).
Four patients are stable.
Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Chennai
Ten patients are under treatment.
All ten are on ventilator support.
Investigation Underway
The exact cause of the ammonia gas leak is currently under investigation by the concerned authorities.
The Health Department said continuous monitoring of exposed workers is being carried out to identify any delayed respiratory complications. Authorities are also conducting environmental assessments and reviewing industrial safety systems and emergency response protocols.
Officials have recommended occupational health and safety audits of similar facilities in the district to prevent such incidents in the future.
The department stated that coordination with district authorities and healthcare institutions is continuing to ensure timely treatment and public safety.
