Panic erupted on Tuesday after ammonia gas leaked from a fertilizer manufacturing unit at Ennore in north Chennai. On Wednesday, at least 24 people were hospitalized due to the Chennai ammonia gas leak incident. The ammonia gas leak incident erupted at about 11.45 pm on December 26. As per reports, following the Ennore gas leak from the fertilizer manufacturing unit an odor that caused discomfort spread across the neighborhood. As a result, over 25 people in residential neighborhoods such as Periya Kuppam in the vicinity of the manufacturing facility experienced unease, nausea, and faintness. As a result, they were taken to a hospital by the authorities. Now, the question arises what was the ammonia gas leak source?
The answer is leakage in the sub-sea pipe. As per a newswire, officials at the spot probing the incident revealed that the ammonia gas leak was detected in a sub-sea pipe in Ennore. This was noticed and stopped. The production head stated the leak caused a strong smell. Meyyanathan Siva V, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Tamil Nadu took cognizance of the matter and shut down the Coromandel International Limited Industry till further orders.
As per reports, situation is under control now. Police personnel at the spot pacified people by telling them that experts were addressing the issue and requested them to go back to their homes as 'there is no problem'.
The firm Coromandel International Limited Industry also missed a statement and said, "As part of routine operation, we noticed abnormality on 26/12/2023 at 23.30 hrs in the ammonia unloading subsea pipeline near shoreside, outside the plant premises. Our Standard Operating Procedure activated immediately, and we have isolated ammonia system facility and brought the situation to normalcy in the shortest time."
"During the process, few members in the local community expressed discomfort and were given medical attention immediately. All are safe and normalcy is restored. We have informed relevant authorities about the incident. Coromandel has always adhered to the highest safety standards and emergency response," the company added.