Tiruvallur ammonia gas leak: Death toll rises to 7, says Chief Secretary Anu Garg

Bhubaneswar: The death toll in the ammonia gas leak incident at a seafood processing factory in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has risen to seven, with all the deceased being workers from Odisha, Chief Secretary of Odisha Anu Garg said.

The Odisha government has sent a team comprising the Special Secretary of the Labour Department and two senior officials to Tamil Nadu to coordinate relief measures and assist the affected families, Garg said.

Speaking to reporters, the Chief Secretary said she was in constant touch with officials in Tamil Nadu and that all necessary arrangements were being made for the victims and their families.

“We sent a team comprising of the Special Secretary of Labour Department along with two senior officials. There have been unfortunate deaths. We are told the latest is 7 deaths. I am in touch with the Chief Secretary of the state. They are making all possible arrangements,” Garg said on Monday.

She further said that those affected in the incident are receiving treatment at hospitals and the Odisha government is taking steps to bring back the bodies of the deceased.

“All the people who have been affected are being treated in either government or private hospitals… We will be getting back the bodies of the deceased soon. All the other steps that will be required, we will take,” she added.