Ammonia gas leak at Kasimedu ice factory triggers evacuation

A gas leak at an ice factory in Chennai's Kasimedu fishing harbour sent a wave of panic through the area on Monday morning. The ammonia leak was reported around 8 am, forcing authorities to evacuate nearby residents and workers as a precautionary measure.

Leak at ice plant

The incident took place at a private ice manufacturing unit located within the bustling Kasimedu harbour complex. Ammonia, commonly used as a refrigerant in such plants, began escaping from a storage tank. Witnesses reported a strong pungent smell spreading rapidly through the vicinity.

Fire services personnel from the Chennai Fire and Rescue Services reached the spot within minutes. They were soon joined by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The primary focus was to contain the leak and prevent it from escalating.

Officials confirmed that no casualties or injuries have been reported so far. The area has been cordoned off, and traffic on nearby roads was diverted to ensure smooth movement of emergency vehicles.

Evacuation and response

Around 200 people from the immediate vicinity were evacuated as a safety measure. They were moved to a safe distance, and medical teams were kept on standby. Residents complained of a burning sensation in the eyes and throat but did not require hospitalisation.

A senior fire officer told reporters that the leak was detected in the storage tank's valve assembly. Teams wearing protective gear worked to seal the leak using specialised equipment. By noon, the situation was brought under control.

Recurring concern

Kasimedu, one of Chennai's largest fishing harbours, houses several ice plants that supply blocks of ice to fishing boats. Ammonia leaks have been a recurring concern in such facilities across the city. In 2023, a similar leak at a cold storage in Tondiarpet had led to a major evacuation.

Environmental activists have repeatedly called for stricter safety audits at such plants. The Chennai Corporation has not yet commented on whether a formal inquiry has been ordered into Monday's incident.

Local residents, many of whom work at the harbour, said they were alarmed by the frequency of such incidents. "We live in constant fear. Every time there is a leak, we have to run," said a fisherman who declined to be named.

Authorities have advised people in the area to stay indoors and keep windows shut until the all-clear is given. Air quality monitoring is underway to assess any lingering risk.

The ice factory's management has not issued a statement. Police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the leak. Preliminary reports suggest a maintenance lapse may have led to the valve failure.

What to watch: The Chennai Corporation is expected to release a detailed report on the incident within 48 hours. Officials are likely to conduct surprise inspections at other ice plants in the city to prevent a repeat of such events.