An ammonia gas leak at a private fish processing plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, resulted in the fainting of 29 women, including five from Kumbakonam and 16 workers from Odisha, due to the incident. The plant is located in the Pudoor Pandiya Puram area and employs over 500 women from different regions.

The gas leak occurred after an ammonia gas cylinder exploded, probably due to an electrical accident. As the gas spread, the affected workers suffered from suffocation and irritation of their eyes, leading to fainting of 29 women. The victims were immediately admitted to AVM Hospital, Rajesh Tilak Hospital and Arulraj Hospital in Thoothukudi.

Thalamuthu Nagar police are actively investigating the cause of the explosion and subsequent gas leak. This incident follows a similar incident in December in Ennore, where an ammonia gas leak from Coromandel International Limited prompted the Tamil Nadu government to temporarily shut down the fertilizer plant. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure public safety and health.

(With input from agencies.)