Former BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai on Sunday urged the state government to conduct a thorough investigation into the ammonia gas leak tragedy at a prawn farm near Periyapalayam in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district.Calling the tragedy shocking and heartbreaking, Annamalai said strict action should be taken if any safety violations are found during the probe.In a post on X, Annamalai wrote, “I strongly urge the Tamil Nadu government to conduct a thorough investigation and take stringent action if any violations are found,” he said.Dozens of workers affectedThe ammonia leak reportedly originated from the seafood processing unit and spread across the premises, affecting several workers.Many complained of breathing difficulties, while some suffered bleeding from the mouth and nose. The affected workers were rushed to nearby private hospitals for treatment, where seven of them died.Three-member panel formedTo investigate the cause of the gas leak, the state government has constituted a three-member committee comprising officials from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Directorate of Public Health.The panel has been asked to submit an interim report within 24 hours and a final report within three days.
