At least seven workers died, and more than 40 people working in a private company of a shrimp processing unit in Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district were admitted in serious condition due to a chemical leak on Sunday (June 21, 2026).
A senior police officer from Tiruvallur district stated that a private company named Peter & Paul Seafood Export Company is engaged in the processing of shrimp and exporting them. On Sunday (June 21), an ammonia leak from the gas tank caused the workers, who are mostly migrant labourers from northern India, to gasp for breath, he added.
An NDRF team was immediately deployed to rescue the suffering patients. Of the 44 workers, nine were rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital, seven to the Government Stanley Hospital in a serious condition.
Also Read: Follow the latest updates on the Tiruvallur ammonia gas leak updates on June 21, 2026
Similarly, the remaining workers have been admitted to two private hospitals: Venkateswara Hospital in Red Hills and Vels Hospital in Manjakaranai. According to the police, seven workers have died due to the leak.
Officials inspecting the private seafood processing unit in Manjangaranai, near Periyapalayam, Tamil Nadu, after a major ammonia gas leak happened on June 21, 2026. Photo: NDRF
Rajmohan, the Minister for School Education, said that “two special teams of senior doctors from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital have been rushed to Periyapalayam, while another team of doctors from Tiruvallur GH has also been deployed at the site.”
CM Vijay orders probe
Chief Minister Vijay has instructed the formation of an enquiry committee to probe the incident. A three-member committee comprising the Director of Industrial Safety and Health, Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board and the Additional Director of Public Health has been formed to submit an interim report within 24 hours and a final report in 3 days.
The CM had instructed the IT Minister/Tiruvallur Monitoring Minister to rush to Tiruvallur along with the Monitoring Officer, Dr. K.P. Karthikeyan, IAS, to give the best possible care to the affected in coordination with the District Collector and the district administration.
CM Vijay has further announced ₹2 lakh each to be paid to the families of the deceased persons as solatium from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Tamil Nadu, shared his condolences on a post on X, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic ammonia gas leak incident at a shrimp processing factory in Kannigaipair Village, near Periyapalayam, Thiruvallur district, which has resulted in the loss of precious lives and caused injuries to several workers.”
“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. I pray for strength and courage for them during this difficult time. I also pray for the speedy recovery of all those who are undergoing treatment and wish them a speedy recovery to good health,” he said.
Published - June 21, 2026 04:21 pm IST
