Bhubaneswar, Jun 23: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced an increase in ex-gratia assistance for the families of Odia workers who lost their lives in the ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district. The compensation has been raised from Rs4 lakh to Rs10 lakh, officials said.

Expressing grief over the tragedy, CM Majhi directed officials to ensure swift support for the affected families. Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg confirmed that efforts are underway to bring back the bodies of the deceased workers after completion of formalities.

A three-member team from Odisha is already in Chennai coordinating with Tamil Nadu authorities to oversee medical care for the injured and other necessary arrangements. The state government is also considering deputing another official to strengthen the support team.
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Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu officials said that the death toll has risen to nine, including seven workers from Odisha and two from Assam. The ammonia leak, which occurred on June 21, affected nearly 80 workers. While two have been discharged, 69 remain under treatment in hospitals across Chennai and Tiruvallur.

Odisha’s Chief Secretary has held discussions with her Tamil Nadu counterpart to ensure proper medical treatment and assistance for the injured Odia workers. The coordinated efforts highlight the urgency of providing relief and rehabilitation to those impacted by the industrial disaster.