Following Tuesday night at approximately 11:45 p.m., there was an offensive smell across the neighborhood following the leak at the facility.
Following an ammonia gas leak at a fertilizer manufacturing facility in Ennore, north Chennai, on Tuesday night, at least 25 people were admitted to the hospital after expressing unease.
Following the Tuesday night leak at the plant, which occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m., a foul smell permeated the neighborhood.
The Coromandel International Limited subsea pipe was the source of the spill.
Locals in the industrial facility’s surrounding communities, such as Periya Kuppam, reported feeling queasy, nauseous, and dizzy. After that, according to PTI, around 25 people were sent to neighboring hospitals to receive medical care.
The Tamil Nadu Environment and Forest Department informed ANI that a sub-sea pipe in Ennore had a discovered ammonia gas leak. This was observed and halted. The production chief claims there was a strong stench due to the leak.
The president and head of manufacturing and supply chain at Coromandel International Limited, Amir Alvi, released a statement on Wednesday. It stated, “As part of routine operation, we noticed an abnormality on 26/12/2023 at 23.30 hrs in the ammonia unloading subsea pipeline near shoreside, outside the plant premises.” We quickly engaged our standard operating procedure, isolated the ammonia system facility, and quickly returned the situation to normal.
A small number of the local community members who complained of discomfort during the procedure received prompt medical assistance. Everything is back to normal, and everyone is safe. We have reported the incident to the appropriate authorities. Coromandel has consistently upheld the strictest emergency response procedures and safety regulations.
People panicked and fled their homes as soon as they heard about the gas leak. They gathered on the roadways and asked for help. PTI was informed by sources that the fertilizer unit officials “took steps” to resolve the technical problem.
Joint Commissioner Avadi, DIG, Vijayakumar, reportedly stated, “There are no longer any gas (ammonia) leaks at Ennore. Everyone has returned home. There are police and medical personnel on the scene.”
By telling the public that professionals were actively tackling the issue, police officers reassured the public. “There is no problem,” they said, urging the locals to go back to their houses.
At 12:45 a.m., the forest department received a call about the leak that occurred during the pre-cooling process of the pipeline.
“Immediately the Joint Chief Environmental Engineer JCEE (M) Chennai, along with District Environmental Engineer DEE (Ambattur) and Assistant Executive Engineer AEE (Manali) reached the site by 2.15 am and inspected the unit and the pipeline locations,” stated Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forests. Additionally present at the location was the Joint Director of the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), who is in charge of ensuring the security of the industrial operation.”
According to ANI, the unit noticed a strong odor in addition to a reduction in pipeline pressure at approximately 11:45 p.m.
“The unit also immediately visited the pipeline location across the road and observed gas bubbles coming out of the pipeline at about 2′ from the shore,” the Tamil Nadu Environment and Forest Department stated. By directing the ammonia vapor to the flare, the device started depressurizing the pipeline right away, and it finished the process in 20 minutes.”
