Ammonia Gas Leak at Tamil Nadu Seafood Unit Kills 5 Tribal Migrant Women from Odisha

Five migrant workers from Odisha were among seven people who died following an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood export facility near Periyapalayam in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district on Sunday. The victims, all tribal women aged between 19 and 22, belonged to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) from Keonjhar district.

The deceased have been identified as Jimani Juang, Geetha Juang, Bhumiya Juang, Phulomani Juang and Sibani. Officials have confirmed the address of Jimani Juang from the Telkoi area and are working to contact the families of the other victims.

The incident highlights the vulnerabilities of migrant workers, especially those from marginalised communities, who often work in hazardous conditions without adequate safety protections. Ammonia gas, commonly used in refrigeration systems in seafood processing units, can cause severe respiratory damage and death when leaked in enclosed spaces.

Keonjhar Divisional Labour Commissioner Surya Narayan Mali stated that the Odisha government has dispatched a team to Tamil Nadu to coordinate with local authorities and provide assistance to the affected families. The team will also help in the repatriation of the bodies.

This tragedy underscores the need for stricter enforcement of workplace safety regulations in industrial units, particularly those employing migrant labour. Unions and worker rights groups have repeatedly called for better living and working conditions for migrant workers, who often face language barriers, lack of social security, and inadequate access to healthcare.

The Tamil Nadu government has ordered an investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports suggest a possible maintenance failure in the ammonia storage system. Further details are awaited.