41 migrant workers from Jharkhand stranded in TN after ammonia leak at Tiruvallur firm
The June 21 ammonia leak at a seafood export firm at Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district claimed the lives of 16 migrant workers. | Photo credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Forty-one migrant workers from Jharkhand who were evacuated from the export firm St. Paul and Peter Seafood Export Firm at Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district remains stranded in Tamil Nadu without any help to return to its home state after an ammonia leak that claimed 16 lives.
Officials in Tiruvallur district said the Jharkhand government had not responded despite repeated requests to facilitate the return of the workers.
On 21 June, migrant workers from Assam, Jharkhand and Odisha employed in a seafood processing unit were evacuated following an ammonia leak. More than 80 workers exposed to the toxic gas were admitted to hospitals. 16 laborers died in the incident – 13 from Odisha, two from Jharkhand and one from Assam.
The surviving laborers were accommodated in a marriage hall in Periyapalayam, where the Tamil Nadu government is providing food, shelter and medical assistance.
The surviving laborers were accommodated in a marriage hall in Periyapalayam, where the Tamil Nadu government is providing food, shelter and medical assistance.
Officials of the Odisha and Assam governments visited the affected workers and coordinated with the Tiruvallur administration to arrange for them to be transported home by train. However, 41 workers from Jharkhand continue to remain in a shelter in Periyapalayam with no clarity on when they will be able to return.
One of the stranded workers appealed to the Jharkhand government to take immediate action. “Everyone wants to return home but we are not allowed to leave. The Jharkhand government should take note of our plight and provide us with immediate help,” he said.
Another video message from one of the workers said: “After the ammonia leak, we were moved to this shelter. We are here for several days. We are given food, but we are not allowed to go out or leave. No one has informed us if we will be sent home or what will happen next. Our identity documents are repeatedly checked and we are under a lot of psychological stress.”
A revenue official in Tiruvallur said representatives of Odisha and Assam governments personally visited the affected workers from their respective states and coordinated their return. “We have been providing all necessary assistance to facilitate their journey. However, the 41 workers from Jharkhand are yet to be repatriated. We have sent emails and phoned the authorities in Jharkhand, but no response so far. Until then, we will provide them with shelter, food and medical assistance and will continue our efforts to ensure their return,” the official added.
Published – 30 Jun 2026 05:30 IST