Seven killed, several hospitalised after ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district

On Sunday, June 21, 2026, more than 40 people working in the shrimp processing plant of a private company in Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district lost their lives due to a chemical leak, while more than 40 people in serious condition were hospitalized.

A senior police officer from Tiruvallur district stated that a private company called Peter & Paul Seafood Export Company is engaged in processing and exporting shrimps. On Sunday, June 21, ammonia leak from the gas tank left the workers, mostly migrant workers from northern India, gasping for air, he added.

An NDRF team was immediately deployed to rescue the suffering patients. Of the 44 workers, nine were admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital and seven were admitted to Government Stanley Hospital in serious condition.

Also Read: Follow latest updates on Tiruvallur ammonia gas leak 21 June 2026 updates

Similarly, the remaining workers were admitted to two private hospitals: Venkateswara Hospital in Red Hills and Vels Hospital in Manjakaranai. According to the police, seven workers died due to the leak.

Officials inspecting the private seafood processing unit at Manjangaranai near Periyapalayam, Tamil Nadu, after a massive ammonia gas leak occurred on June 21, 2026. Photo: NDRF

“Two special teams of senior doctors from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital have been taken to Periyapalayam, while another team of doctors from Tiruvallur GH has also been deployed to the spot,” said School Education Minister Rajmohan.

CM Vijay orders investigation

Chief Minister Vijay ordered the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the incident. A three-member committee comprising the Director Industrial Safety and Health, Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board and Additional Director Public Health was constituted to submit an interim report within 24 hours and a final report within 3 days.

CM advised IT Minister/Tiruvallur Monitoring Minister Dr. KP Karthikeyan had instructed him to go to Tiruvallur along with IAS.

CM Vijay also announced that ₹ 2 lakh per person would be paid as solatium to the families of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar shared his condolences in a post on

“I offer my sincere condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. I wish them strength and courage in this difficult time. I also pray for a speedy recovery to everyone who is receiving treatment and wish them a speedy recovery,” he said.