Bhubaneswar, 22 June (H.S.): The Odisha Government has intensified efforts to bring back the mortal remains of five women workers from Keonjhar district who lost their lives in a tragic ammonia gas leak at a private fish meal export factory in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.

The incident occurred on Sunday at a factory located in the Kannigaipair–Manjangaranai area near Periyapalayam, claiming the lives of several workers and leaving many others affected.

Odisha Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said that 33 workers from Odisha were employed at the factory when the gas leak took place. Among the victims were five women workers from Keonjhar district, whose deaths have sent shockwaves across the state.

Describing the incident as deeply unfortunate, the Minister said the state government has deputed three senior officials from the Labour and ESI Department to Tamil Nadu to oversee relief measures and coordinate with local authorities. The officials are assisting in completing post-mortem formalities and facilitating the transportation of the mortal remains to Odisha at the earliest.

The Minister informed that the Odisha Government is in constant contact with the Tamil Nadu administration to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured workers and smooth coordination of all procedures related to the tragedy.

In the wake of the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia assistance of ₹4 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased worker.

According to an official statement, Chief Secretary Anu Garg held discussions with her Tamil Nadu counterpart on Sunday to review the situation and expedite relief and support measures for the affected workers and their families.

The Minister also appealed to migrant workers from Odisha to register with the Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Department before leaving the state for employment. He noted that registration facilities are being provided at the panchayat level to ensure better tracking, welfare support, and emergency assistance for migrant workers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda