7 dead, 67 hospitalized in India ammonia leak

KATHMANDU: At least seven people were killed and 67 others hospitalized after an ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing facility in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, officials said.

According to authorities, the ammonia leak originated inside the processing plant and rapidly spread across the premises.

Workers on duty suddenly experienced severe breathing difficulties, while some reportedly suffered bleeding from the nose and mouth.

The affected workers were rushed to nearby private hospitals for treatment.

However, seven female workers died while receiving medical care, officials confirmed.

Following the incident, police, disaster management personnel, firefighters, emergency responders and medical teams were deployed to the site to carry out rescue and relief operations.

Authorities have mobilized a 30-member specialist team equipped with advanced gas-detection devices and emergency response equipment to contain the leak.

The team is currently working to identify the exact source of the leak and conduct necessary repair work.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway.