At least 12 people were hospitalised following ammonia gas leaks from the pipeline of a private company in Tamil Nadus Ennore late Tuesday night, said the police.Ammonia gas leaked at Tamil Nadu private companyThis incident happened in Coromandel International Limited, which manufactures fertilisers and uses ammonia as a raw material.According to the officials, they received a message from the company at around 12:45 am regarding an ammonia gas leak which allegedly took place during the pre-cooling operation of the pipeline.What was the aftermath of gas leakAmid the gas leakage, panic was caused among the locals (from villages such as Periyakuppam, and Chinnakuppam), who complained of a pungent smell, breathing difficulty and uneasiness.Upon receiving the information, the police and the district administration arranged ambulances and public transport to shift residents to local locations.12 villagers were taken to the Stanley Hospital following the gas leak and their situation is said to be stable. Many others were shifted to community halls at midnight.What is the current situationThe gas leak was contained by the company in the night itself and the situation is under control right now, police said.During an inspection by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Board Control team, the ammonia level in the ambient air was monitored and found to be 3 pm (2090 microgram/m3 against 400 microgram/m3 on 24 24-hour average) at 3.30 am near the material gate.Heres what Coromandel International Ltd said:In a statement, the company said abnormalities were detected around 11:30 pm in a sub-sea ammonia pipeline near the shoreside complex at Ennore, Chennai.Emergency procedures were activated to isolate the system and regain control swiftly. Though a few nearby residents experienced discomfort during the incident, they were immediately given medical care.Coromandel has asserted that all affected persons are now safe, relevant authorities were informed, and normalcy restored. The company claims it has always followed the highest safety standards and emergency response protocols.Investigation is onThe Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is investigating the causes behind the leak.Local community groups have called for a thorough probe and assessment of potential long-term health impacts. Prior ammonia leaks at industrial plants have led to stricter safety directives. Recurring incidents underscore the need for proactive precautions by units handling hazardous chemicals.
