Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 22nd June 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of two women and several others falling sick after ammonia leak at a shrimp processing factory in the Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu

Issues notices to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The report to include the status of health of the workers as well as the disbursement of the relief amount announced by the state government to be paid to the NoK of the deceased workers

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that at least two women died and several others fell sick after inhaling ammonia which got leaked at a private shrimp processing factory in the Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu on 21st June 2026. Reportedly, at the time of the incident, the employees were taking a rest in a nearby room.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is also expected to include the status of health of the workers as well as the disbursement of the relief amount announced by the state government to be paid to the next of kin (NoK) of the deceased workers.

According to the media report, carried on 22nd June 2026, 59 workers were admitted to various hospitals in Chennai and Tiruvallur soon after the incident. Reportedly, the state government has ordered the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the incident.

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