CM Announces Relief After Ammonia Gas Leak Kills 2 Workers in Thiruvallur

PRESS RELEASE Accident caused by ammonia gas leak at a private seafood export factory in Kanniyadeyar village, Uthukottai Taluk, Tiruvallur District - Condolence and financial assistance announced by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru C. Joseph Vijay Today (21.06.2026), an unexpected ammonia gas leak occurred in the production unit of a private seafood export factory at Kanniyadeyar village, near Seriyavalayam, Uthukottai Taluk, Tiruvallur District, affecting 64 persons (60 women, 4 men) who were on duty there. Unfortunately, 2 women lost their lives in this accident; 15 persons are under intensive observation at a Government hospital; 23 persons have been admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital; and 24 persons have been admitted to a private hospital and are under observation. I have ordered the Director of Industrial Safety and Health, the Additional Director of Public Health, and the Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to jointly conduct an inquiry into this accident and to submit a preliminary inquiry report within 24 hours and a complete inquiry report within 3 days. I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news that two women lost their lives in this incident. Besides conveying my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the two women who lost their lives in this accident, I have ordered that Rs.2 lakh each be given to them from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund. Further, I have ordered that arrangements be made at Government expense to send their bodies to their home State for the last rites. I have also ordered that special medical treatment be provided to those admitted to hospital as a result of this accident. I have ordered that action be taken to provide due compensation to the workers who lost their lives or were injured in this accident, under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme / Workmen's Compensation Act. To prevent such accidents in future, I have ordered that immediate committee-based inspections of hazardous industries be undertaken. I have directed the Minister for Information Technology, the local MLA, the District Collector and a senior IAS officer serving as District Monitoring Officer to jointly visit the site of the incident, conduct a direct inspection, take appropriate follow-up action, and extend necessary assistance to the affected families. Issued By: Director, DIPR, Chennai-9