Ammonia gas leaks from subsea pipeline of TN fertiliser plant, several people hospitalised

Chennai: An Ammonia gas leak from a subsea pipeline linked to a fertiliser manufacturing unit in north Chennai has resulted in the illness among local residents, with about 25 people hospitalised. Officials on Wednesday reported symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea and faintness among the affected people, who are currently undergoing treatment.

Following the leak, at about 11.45 pm on December 26, an odour that caused severe discomfort to people spread through air in north Chennai areas. A number of persons fainted after experiencing 'burning sensation' in their



throat and chest. Many people who were asleep woke up in panic and scurried out of their homes and alerted neighbours and all of them soon reached the main roads unsure of what to do.

For the people of north Chennai, it was double whammy, as they were affected by the recent oil spill and now the ammonia gas leak. About 25 people including children, who were residents of areas close to the fertiliser manufacturing facility were hospitalised. Most of them experienced unease, shortness of breath, nausea, and faintness.