Seven Killed in Tamil Nadu Ammonia Gas Leak; CM Vijay Orders High-Level Probe

June 21, 2026

Chennai: Seven killed after ammonia gas leaked at seafood processing unit in Manjangaranai near Periyapalayam, Tamil Nadu. According to the police, 67 workers got affected due to the ammonia gas leak and admitted to the hospital. The incident was reported by the Tiruvallur District Collector’s Office to the headquarters of the 4th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) located in Arakkonam. Upon the request of the district administration and under the orders of Akhilesh Kumar, Senior Commandant of the 4th Battalion of the NDRF, a special team specialized in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) rescue operations were immediately dispatched to the site. A special team of 30 personnel from Chennai arrived at the site equipped with necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), gas detection equipment, and CBRN rescue gear.

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

Tiruvallur District Collector S. Kavitha stated that 67 affected workers were taken to local medical centers, out of which 46 people are being treated at Wells Hospital and 21 at Venkateswara Hospital. The nine most critically ill patients were transferred by ambulance to the government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai. Kavitha visited the factory and met with patients at the hospitals to review relief efforts. A formal investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the valve failure and to investigate possible safety lapses at the export unit.

Doctor’s statement 

As per a senior doctor of a private hospital, “We admitted a total of 44 patients, including 43 young women and one man. Of these, we have intubated 15 to 16 patients, and 11 are currently on ventilator support.” The doctor added that the affected workers are quite young, mostly women aged 24 to 25. The doctor added, “They are alive, and we can monitor their pulse and blood pressure, although their blood pressure is still very low. Since they are young, we are hopeful they will recover. We are also making arrangements to shift four or five critical patients to a government hospital for better treatment.”

” I am deeply saddened by the tragic ammonia gas leak incident at a shrimp processing factory in Kannigaipair Village , near Periyapalayam, Thiruvallur district, which has resulted in the loss of precious lives and caused injuries to several workers.
My heartfelt condolences to…

— LOK BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@lokbhavan_tn) June 21, 2026

TN Governor expresses anguish 

Expressing his anguish, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Tamil Nadu said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic ammonia gas leak incident at a shrimp processing factory in Kannigaipair Village, near Periyapalayam, Thiruvallur district, which has resulted in the loss of precious lives and caused injuries to several workers. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. I pray for strength and courage for them during this difficult time. I also pray for the speedy recovery of all those who are undergoing treatment and wish them a speedy recovery to good health.”