Police sources said the company had earlier witnessed an ammonia gas leak in 2014, which claimed one life.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Officials from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Revenue, Labour, and Police Departments inspected the seafood processing unit at Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district and carried out separate inquiries to determine the cause of the accident. Meanwhile, three individuals have been remanded in judicial custody in connection with the ammonia leak, which has claimed eight lives so far.
Police sources said the company had earlier witnessed an ammonia gas leak in 2014, which claimed one life. A worker, who was admitted to hospital on October 23, 2014, later died due to complications on January 15, 2015. A case was registered and is currently under trial at a court in Tiruvallur.
On Monday, the accused were identified as owner M. Joseph Jegan of Royapuram, M. Mohan, 59, of Tondiarpet, R. Daniel, 70, a manager of the company from Perungudi. All three were arrested, the police said. The sections have also been altered, with Section 3(a)(14) of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, added. Earlier, the Periyapalayam police had registered a case under Sections 105 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
A team of officials from the Odisha government arrived at the spot and were working with authorities to ascertain the identity of the victims. The evacuated workers have been sheltered at a wedding hall and have been given food and medicine.
Published – June 22, 2026 10:59 pm IST
