TN factory ammonia gas leak: Death toll increases to 17

The death toll in the ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export facility in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district increased to 17 on Wednesday, the Government said.

The Health Department, in a release, said that all the deceased were women. While 14 of them are from Odisha, two were from Assam and one hailed from Jharkhand. The toxic industrial chemical leak occurred during routine industrial operations on June 21 at the facility located in the Kannigaipair/Manjungaranai area near Periyapalayam.

A total of 83 persons have been reported as affected by the incident. Of these 15 persons, all women, were currently receiving treatment and are under medical observation, the release further added. The mortal remains of the victims were airlifted to their respective native states.