Chennai, Jun 21: Seven women workers died and more than 60 others were hospitalised after an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing facility in Tamil Nadu's Thiruvallur district on Sunday, officials said.

The leak occurred at a shrimp processing unit in Manjangaranai village near Periyapalayam, exposing dozens of workers to toxic fumes and triggering a major emergency response.

Workers Fall Ill After Gas Leak
Most of the affected workers were migrants from northern states. They reportedly complained of breathing difficulties, dizziness and vomiting shortly after the leak.

According to district authorities, 67 workers were admitted to hospitals following the incident. Of them, 46 were taken to Vels Hospital and 21 to Venkateshwara Hospital.

Nine critically ill workers were later shifted to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai for advanced treatment, according to reports.

Leak Suspected From Industrial Valve
Preliminary findings suggest the ammonia leak originated from a measuring valve inside the processing facility.

Ammonia is commonly used as a refrigerant in cold storage systems attached to seafood processing plants.

Emergency teams rushed to the site soon after the incident. A 30-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team equipped with gas detection instruments and rescue gear carried out evacuation and containment operations.

Visuals from the area showed workers being transported to hospitals as rescue personnel worked to secure the facility.

Government Orders High-Level Probe
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay directed officials to take stringent action against those found responsible for the incident.

State IT Minister R. Kumar, who is overseeing relief measures in the district, said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the leak.

The state government has constituted a three-member inquiry committee comprising the Director of Industrial Safety and Health, the Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Additional Director of Public Health.

The panel has been directed to submit an interim report within 24 hours and a final report within three days.

FIR Registered, Owner Detained
Police have registered an FIR in connection with the incident and detained the owner of the seafood processing unit for questioning.

Minister Kumar, Thiruvallur District Collector S Kavitha, Superintendent of Police Sai Praneeth and other senior officials visited the site to oversee relief and rescue operations.

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Governor Expresses Condolences
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Arlekar expressed grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

He also wished a speedy recovery to the workers undergoing treatment, describing the incident as a tragic loss of life.

Authorities said the investigation remains underway and further action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.