41 migrant workers from Jharkhand stranded in T.N. after ammonia leak at Tiruvallur firm

The June 21 ammonia leak in the seafood export firm at Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district claimed the lives of 16 migrant workers.

| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Forty-one migrant workers from Jharkhand, who were evacuated from St. Paul and Peter Seafood Export Firm at Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district after the ammonia leak that claimed 16 lives, remain stranded in Tamil Nadu without any assistance to return to their home State.Officials in Tiruvallur district said there had been no response from the Jharkhand government despite repeated requests to facilitate the workers’ return.On June 21, migrant workers from Assam, Jharkhand, and Odisha employed at the seafood processing unit were evacuated after the ammonia leak. More than 80 workers exposed to the toxic gas were admitted to hospitals. Sixteen workers — 13 from Odisha, two from Jharkhand, and one from Assam — died in the incident.The surviving workers were accommodated at a marriage hall in Periyapalayam, where the Tamil Nadu government has been providing food, shelter, and medical assistance.

The surviving workers were accommodated at a marriage hall in Periyapalayam, where the Tamil Nadu government has been providing food, shelter, and medical assistance.