TIRUVALLUR: A routine Sunday morning turned deadly within minutes at St Peter-Paul Sea Foods Exports in Kannigaipair village, Tiruvallur, where an ammonia gas leak has claimed seven lives and left several others receiving treatment. As officials investigate the incident, interviews with workers have raised concerns regarding emergency warnings, evacuation procedures, and the potential employment of underage workers at the facility.

Among those receiving treatment is a 17-year-old worker from Odisha, who was moved to the general ward at a private hospital in Kannigaipair on Monday morning. She continues to experience severe coughing and vomiting. Workers’ accounts suggest there may be additional employees under the age of 18.

A 20-year-old male survivor informed DT Next that his younger sister, aged 16, was hospitalized following the leak. The exact number of underage workers has not been independently verified.

“We could not individually verify the age as many workers’ Aadhaar cards are held by agents. We’re in the process of recovering them. Most of them appear to be between 18 and 25 years old,”

said a revenue official overseeing relief arrangements.

Accounts from workers also provide insights into why women seem to have suffered the most from the tragedy. Their quarters were situated approximately 50 meters from the refrigeration unit, while male workers were accommodated further away. The leak occurred around 10:30 am, shortly after employees had finished breakfast and returned to their rooms.