Bhubaneswar, June 22: The Odisha government has intensified efforts to bring back the mortal remains of five women workers from Keonjhar district who lost their lives in a tragic ammonia gas leak at a private fish meal export factory in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district.

Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said on Monday that the state government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Tamil Nadu administration to ensure all necessary assistance to the affected workers and their families.

The accident occurred on Sunday at a factory located in the Kannigaipair–Manjangaranai area near Periyapalayam. According to the Minister, 33 workers from Odisha were employed at the factory when the gas leak took place. Five women workers from Keonjhar district died in the mishap, while several others were affected.

Describing the incident as deeply unfortunate, Singhkhuntia said three senior officials from the Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Department have been deputed to the accident site to oversee relief measures and coordinate with local authorities. Efforts are underway to complete post-mortem procedures and transport the bodies to Odisha as soon as possible.

The Minister also appealed to migrant workers to register with the department before seeking employment outside the state, noting that registration facilities are available at the panchayat level.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia assistance of ₹4 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased worker. Chief Secretary Anu Garg has also held discussions with her Tamil Nadu counterpart to ensure smooth coordination of rescue, treatment, and repatriation efforts.

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