Chennai: An ammonia gas leak tragedy hit a private seafood unit in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvallur district resulting in 7 deaths and 46 hospitalised.
The incident occurred at St Peter’s and Paul Seafoods Exports facility located in Kannigaipair near Peripalayam. The affected workers are mostly from the northern states. As it was a holiday the workers were staying inside the accommodation. The workers complained of shortness of breath, vomiting, or dizziness. Visuals showed they were taken to the hospital immediately. The gas leak reportedly occurred from the measure valve installed as per the preliminary reports.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: An ammonia gas leak was reported today at the St. Peter's Paul Seafoods Exports facility located in Kannigaipair near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) 4th Battalion headquarters in Arakkonam was immediately alerted… pic.twitter.com/ojoBZ9qyu3
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2026
Governor Express Deep Sorrow
Governor Rajendra Arlekar spoke about the gas leak and said he is deeply saddened by the incident and prayed for those who had lost their loved ones.
" 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.
— LOK BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@lokbhavan_tn) June 21, 2026
My heartfelt condolences to…
Statement released by the Lok Bhavan quoted governor which said, “”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.”
Further he concluded by saying , “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.”
CM Vijay Ordered High-Level Enquiry
திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டம், ஊத்துக்கோட்டை வட்டம், கன்னிகைபேர் கிராமத்தில் தனியார் மீன் உணவு ஏற்றுமதி தொழிற்சாலையில் அம்மோனியா வாயு கசிவினால் ஏற்பட்ட விபத்து – மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் ஆறுதல் மற்றும் நிதியுதவி அறிவிப்பு pic.twitter.com/ogUDVLs97e
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) June 21, 2026
Peripalayam Police have registered the case and the investigation is underway. To ensure accountability, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay intervened by ordering an immediate, high-level inquiry. The Chief Minister has established a specialized three-member investigative committee tasked with probing the incident. This panel comprises:
- The Director of Industrial Safety and Health
- The Member Secretary of the Pollution Control Board
- The Additional Director of Public Health
The state government has mandated the committee to deliver a preliminary interim report within 24 hours, to be followed by a comprehensive final report within three days. Furthermore, Chief Minister Vijay directed the Information Technology Minister alongside the Tiruvallur Monitoring Officer, Dr. K.P. Karthikeyan, IAS, to personally supervise the ongoing relief operations and guarantee that the hospitalized victims receive the highest standard of medical attention.
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