Vijay forms three-member committee to probe ammonia leak at seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur district

National Disaster Response Force personnel inspect a seafood processing factory at Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district on Sunday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Following the death of two workers following an ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing factory at Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday ordered the formation of a three-member inquiry committee to probe the incident.

Director of Industrial Safety and Health, Member-Secretary of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and Additional Director of Public Health will be part of the committee and will submit their interim report within 24 hours and the final report will follow in three days.

In a statement, the chief minister said that a total of 60 women and four men who were on duty at the factory were affected due to the gas leak. He said two women have lost their lives while the rest are receiving treatment in intensive care units of government and private hospitals.

He said he was shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news and offered his condolences to the family members of the two deceased. He also ordered the payment of ₹ 2 lakh as solatium to the kin of each victim from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund. He also said that the state government would make arrangements to transport the bodies to their home state.

It also directed the officials to provide special medical treatment to the affected persons and directed the officials to provide compensation to the dead and disabled under the Employees State Insurance (ESI) scheme.

Special treatment

Mr. Vijay also directed officials to conduct joint inspections of hazardous industries to prevent such accidents and directed Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services R. Kumar and Monitoring Officer for Tiruvallur KP Karthikeyan to provide best possible care to the affected in collaboration with the Tiruvallur Collector and the district administration.

Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services R. Kumar on Sunday at a private hospital in Periyapalayam where some of the victims were admitted. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna, Health and Family Welfare Minister KG Arunraj and School Education Minister Rajmohan visited the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) on Sunday evening.

Dr. Arunraj said a total of 10 affected persons were admitted to RGGGH while seven were admitted to Stanley Medical College Hospital. A total of 42 persons were treated in two private hospitals in Tiruvallur district.

Two special teams of senior doctors from RGGGH have been rushed to Periyapalayam, while another team of doctors from Tiruvallur Government Hospital has also been deployed to the spot, Mr. Rajmohan said.

The Prime Minister expresses his condolences on the death

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

In a post on X, he said, “I am deeply pained to hear about the loss of life due to the mishap in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said: “My condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. I pray for strength and courage for them in this difficult time. I also pray for the speedy recovery of all those undergoing treatment and wish them speedy recovery and good health.”

Published – 21 Jun 2026 17:09 IST