Bhubaneswar, Jun 23: The mortal remains of five Odia women workers who died in the ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar in Odisha on Tuesday evening amid a deeply emotional atmosphere.

CM Pays Floral Tributes

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was present at the airport and paid floral tributes to the deceased, all of whom belonged to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) communities in Keonjhar district. He met the bereaved families and assured them of full government support.

ତାମିଲନାଡୁର ତିରୁଭଲ୍ଲୁରଠାରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଆମୋନିଆ ଗ୍ୟାସ୍ ଲିକ୍ ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣାରେ ପ୍ରାଣ ହରାଇଥିବା ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଶ୍ରମିକମାନଙ୍କ ପାର୍ଥିବ ଶରୀର ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ବିମାନ ବନ୍ଦରଠାରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିବା ପରେ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି ଜଣାଇଛନ୍ତି। ମୃତକଙ୍କ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର… pic.twitter.com/advYHRr0t4

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) June 23, 2026

Compensation Enhanced

Earlier in the day, CM Majhi announced that the ex-gratia assistance for the families of deceased workers would be raised from Rs4 lakh to Rs10 lakh. The Chief Minister’s Office, in a statement, said Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and conveyed condolences to the families.

Casualties and Injuries

The ammonia gas leak, which occurred on June 21, has claimed nine lives so far — seven workers from Odisha and two from Assam. Nearly 80 workers were affected, with 69 still undergoing treatment in hospitals in Chennai and Tiruvallur. The bodies of two other Odia workers who died earlier on Tuesday are expected to be brought to the state later.
Also Read: TN Ammonia Gas Leak: Odisha CM Enhances Ex-Gratia To Rs10 Lakh For Victims

Government Response

The Odisha government has deputed senior officials to Chennai to coordinate with Tamil Nadu authorities, ensuring medical care for the injured and smooth repatriation of the deceased. A three-member team is already in Chennai overseeing relief measures, and the state is considering sending an additional official to strengthen the support system.

The tragedy has highlighted the vulnerability of migrant tribal workers employed in hazardous industries, raising urgent concerns about workplace safety and regulatory enforcement.