Bhubaneswar, June 22(UDN): The death toll of Odia workers in the tragic ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing factory in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district rose to five on Monday. All the deceased are women from Keonjhar district.

The victims have been identified as Jimani Juang, Gita Juang, Bhumia Juang, Shivani Juang, and Phulamani Juang.

The incident occurred on Sunday at a private seafood processing and export unit located in Kannigaipair village near Periyapalayam. A suspected leak of ammonia gas from the factory’s refrigeration system released toxic fumes inside the premises, exposing workers to hazardous conditions. A large number of workers were reportedly staying within the factory campus.

According to official sources, around 120 migrant workers from Odisha, Assam, and Jharkhand were present at the time of the incident. Of these, 64 workers—including 60 women and 4 men—suffered breathing difficulties, dizziness, and irritation after inhaling the toxic gas. Several workers collapsed on the spot and were subsequently shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

In response to the tragedy, the Odisha government has constituted and dispatched a three-member high-level team to Tamil Nadu to oversee rescue and relief coordination and to provide necessary assistance to the affected Odia workers.

The team comprises Labour & ESI Department Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Agrawala, Additional Labour Commissioner Madan Mohan Paik, and Labour Directorate Technical Consultant Bhakta Bandhu Acharya.