Women workers of St. Peter and Paul Seafoods Processing Factory at Kanigaipair village in Tiruvallur where fatal ammonia gas leak occurred on June 21, 2026 being treated at Vels Medical College and Hospital (VMCH) in Manjankaranai village of Tiruvallur district. File
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women (TNSCW) has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the ammonia gas leak at a shrimp processing unit in Tiruvallur that has till now claimed the lives of 16 migrant workers and left several others critically injured.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident based on media reports, the Commission directed the Tiruvallur District Collector to submit a detailed report within four weeks.
In its communication dated June 25, the Commission observed the victims were predominantly women migrant workers from Odisha and other States, who were not only employed at the factory but were also residing in accommodation provided within the premises.
Inquiry angles
The Commission has asked the district administration to examine whether the factory possessed the required licences and approvals to handle ammonia and whether it complied with labour safety, occupational health and statutory regulations.
It also sought an inquiry into whether workers were compelled to stay within the factory premises, whether provisions of the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act had been violated, and whether there had been any intimidation by the management.
The report has also been asked to detail the legal action initiated against those responsible, the compensation and assistance provided to the victims and families of the deceased, the status of medical treatment, and measures proposed for the rehabilitation and repatriation of the affected migrant workers.
Published – June 29, 2026 04:11 pm IST