Bhubaneswar, June 25: The death toll of Odia migrant workers in the devastating ammonia gas leak incident at a seafood processing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district has risen to nine, following the death of another injured worker undergoing treatment.

The latest victim has been identified as Rita Juang, a resident of Tangiri Dubanali Sahi under Telkoi block in Odisha’s Keonjhar district. She succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment at a hospital in Tamil Nadu, deepening the grief among families and communities affected by the tragedy.

The industrial accident occurred on June 21, 2026, when ammonia gas leaked from a private seafood export and processing unit in Tiruvallur district. The leak left several workers dead and many others seriously injured, triggering concerns over workplace safety and the conditions faced by migrant labourers employed outside their home states.

A significant number of the victims belong to the Juang community, one of Odisha’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), from Keonjhar district. Most had migrated to Tamil Nadu in search of employment opportunities to support their families. Many of those who lost their lives were young women in their late teens and early twenties.

With Rita Juang’s death, the number of Odia workers who have died in the tragedy has climbed to nine. Several other workers from Odisha remain admitted to hospitals in Tamil Nadu, with some reported to be in critical condition.

The Odisha government continues to monitor the situation closely while coordinating with Tamil Nadu authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and assistance for the affected families.

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