Chennai, 03 July (H.S.): The death toll in the ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export unit near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district has risen to 18 after another injured worker succumbed to complications on July 2, the Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department said on Friday.
In its latest medical bulletin, the department said a total of 83 workers were affected in the industrial accident that occurred on June 21. Of them, 51 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals, while 14 women workers continue to undergo treatment at various healthcare facilities in Chennai.
Among those still hospitalised, one patient remains on ventilator support, another is receiving oxygen support, while the remaining 12 are reported to be in stable condition under close medical observation.
The department said seven patients are being treated at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, four at Vels Hospital, two at Venkateswara Hospital and one at Government Stanley Medical College Hospital.
The Health Department continues to closely monitor the situation and ensure the availability of appropriate medical care for all affected individuals. Coordination with district authorities and healthcare institutions remains ongoing, the bulletin said, adding that the situation remains under constant surveillance.
The victims of the tragedy were largely migrant workers employed at the seafood processing and export facility. According to the department, the 18 fatalities include 14 workers from Odisha, two from Assam and one from Jharkhand. One more deceased worker's mortal remains are yet to be transported after completion of legal formalities.
Officials said the bodies of 17 victims have already been airlifted to their respective native States for the last rites.
The ammonia leak, one of Tamil Nadu's worst recent industrial accidents, triggered a large-scale emergency response and left dozens of workers with severe respiratory complications. Health authorities said they would continue to monitor the condition of the injured and provide all necessary medical care until their recovery.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
