<p>An ammonia gas leak that happened at an undersea pipeline in India’s Ennore region, North Chennai, has been contained, said Tamil Nadu government authorities in the early hours of Wednesday (Dec 27).</p>

<p>The leak is said to have occurred around 11.45 pm (local time) Tuesday and it led to the stench of ammonia spreading in the adjoining areas, which includes multiple petrochemical industries and densely populated residential areas.</p>

<p>More than 34 people are said to have been hospitalised after the gas leak occurred around the midnight hour, with the pungent ammonia odour causing eye irritation, a burning sensation in the throat, breathing difficulties, and other issues.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ammonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ammonia</a> gas leak occurred in an undersea pipeline..there is no ship offloading the gas..residual gas in the pipe has leaked &amp; spread due to winds..we have done Inspections&amp; are here for 1hr+..nothing to worry, all 100pc resolved..pls sleep peacefully" Deputy commissioner of… <a href="https://t.co/FJP0ImvPCO">pic.twitter.com/FJP0ImvPCO</a></p>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1739866489543610761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The leak happened when the liquified form of the gas was being pumped out from a ship at sea to the fertilser manufacturing facility, Coromandel International Ltd. Factory, Ennore.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Video from the early hours of today, showing the panic &amp;chaos caused by the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ammonia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ammonia</a> gas leak(at an undersea pipeline), which spread to the nearby <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ennore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ennore</a> area, causing breathing issues, eye burning sensation for residents..<br />
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It is said to have been contained in a few hours..… <a href="https://t.co/whDrkM3syE">pic.twitter.com/whDrkM3syE</a></p>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1739860480586653756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>This facility is involved in the large-scale manufacture of Ammonium Phosphate Potash Sulphate (APPS), with an annual output of almost four lakh tonnes.</p>

<p>The raw material for making ammonia, being a major constituent of APPS, is brought in via ships and transported through a 2.5km long undersea pipeline that leads to the facility.</p>

<p>Estimates say that 3000-8000 tonnes of ammonia is pumped to the factory every month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was around 12.45 am on Wednesday that the facility notified the relevant authorities regarding the gas leakage. In the following hours, police and ambulances were mobilised.</p>

<p>At 3.33 am, a top Tamil Nadu Police official Vijaykumar posted on X that the situation had been controlled.</p>

<p>&nbsp;"No need to panic. stabilised. No more gas (ammonia) leak at Ennore. People reassured and are back home. Medical and police teams present."</p>

<p>Speaking to WION, a local resident at Ernavur locality, near Ennore, said that the strong stench of ammonia was observed around midnight hour and led to suspicion of a leak.</p>

<p>He added that his residential area near the coast does not experience such a strong stench, as they are at a considerable distance from the factories in the area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As on Wednesday morning, he said that the ammonia stench was negligible in his locality when compared to the midnight hour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Initial reports suggest that this mishap occurred in the run-up to the unloading of ammonia from the ship and not during the actual unloading of the chemical.</p>

<p>In order to transfer ammonia in liquid condition, it is said to be maintained at minus 330 degrees Celsius. At least 36 hours prior to the transfer of ammonia from the ships, pre-cooling of the undersea pipeline is carried out to pump ammonia in liquid form and finally into the storage tank within the factory.</p>

<p>In a statement, Coromandel International said that they noticed the abnormality on Wednesday at 11.30 pm in the ammonia-loading subsea pipeline near shoreside, outside the plant premises.</p>

<p>"Our Standard Operating Procedure activated immediately, and we have isolated the ammonia system facility and brought the situation to normalcy in the shortest time," read the statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the process, a few members of the local community expressed discomfort and were given medical attention immediately. All are safe and normalcy was restored, the firm said.</p>

<p>"We have informed relevant authorities about the incident. Coromandel has always adhered to the highest safety standards and emergency response system" said the firm, in a statement authorised by Amir Alvi, President &amp; Head, Manufacturing (Fertilizer) &amp; Supply Chain, Coromandel International Limited.</p>


An ammonia gas leak that happened at an undersea pipeline in India’s Ennore region, North Chennai, has been contained, said Tamil Nadu government authorities in the early hours of Wednesday (Dec 27).

An ammonia gas leak that happened at an undersea pipeline in India’s Ennore region, North Chennai, has been contained, said Tamil Nadu government authorities in the early hours of Wednesday (Dec 27). The leak is said to have occurred around 11.45 pm (local time) Tuesday and it led to the stench of ammonia spreading in the adjoining areas, which includes multiple petrochemical industries and densely populated residential areas. More than 34 people are said to have been hospitalised after the gas leak occurred around the midnight hour, with the pungent ammonia odour causing eye irritation, a burning sensation in the throat, breathing difficulties, and other issues. "The #ammonia gas leak occurred in an undersea pipeline..there is no ship offloading the gas..residual gas in the pipe has leaked & spread due to winds..we have done Inspections& are here for 1hr+..nothing to worry, all 100pc resolved..pls sleep peacefully" Deputy commissioner of… pic.twitter.com/FJP0ImvPCO — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) December 27, 2023 × The leak happened when the liquified form of the gas was being pumped out from a ship at sea to the fertilser manufacturing facility, Coromandel International Ltd. Factory, Ennore. Video from the early hours of today, showing the panic &chaos caused by the #ammonia gas leak(at an undersea pipeline), which spread to the nearby #Ennore area, causing breathing issues, eye burning sensation for residents.. It is said to have been contained in a few hours..… pic.twitter.com/whDrkM3syE — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) December 27, 2023 × This facility is involved in the large-scale manufacture of Ammonium Phosphate Potash Sulphate (APPS), with an annual output of almost four lakh tonnes. The raw material for making ammonia, being a major constituent of APPS, is brought in via ships and transported through a 2.5km long undersea pipeline that leads to the facility. Estimates say that 3000-8000 tonnes of ammonia is pumped to the factory every month. It was around 12.45 am on Wednesday that the facility notified the relevant authorities regarding the gas leakage. In the following hours, police and ambulances were mobilised. At 3.33 am, a top Tamil Nadu Police official Vijaykumar posted on X that the situation had been controlled. "No need to panic. stabilised. No more gas (ammonia) leak at Ennore. People reassured and are back home. Medical and police teams present." Speaking to WION, a local resident at Ernavur locality, near Ennore, said that the strong stench of ammonia was observed around midnight hour and led to suspicion of a leak. He added that his residential area near the coast does not experience such a strong stench, as they are at a considerable distance from the factories in the area. As on Wednesday morning, he said that the ammonia stench was negligible in his locality when compared to the midnight hour. Initial reports suggest that this mishap occurred in the run-up to the unloading of ammonia from the ship and not during the actual unloading of the chemical. In order to transfer ammonia in liquid condition, it is said to be maintained at minus 330 degrees Celsius. At least 36 hours prior to the transfer of ammonia from the ships, pre-cooling of the undersea pipeline is carried out to pump ammonia in liquid form and finally into the storage tank within the factory. In a statement, Coromandel International said that they noticed the abnormality on Wednesday at 11.30 pm in the ammonia-loading subsea pipeline near shoreside, outside the plant premises. "Our Standard Operating Procedure activated immediately, and we have isolated the ammonia system facility and brought the situation to normalcy in the shortest time," read the statement. During the process, a few members of the local community expressed discomfort and were given medical attention immediately. All are safe and normalcy was restored, the firm said. "We have informed relevant authorities about the incident. Coromandel has always adhered to the highest safety standards and emergency response system" said the firm, in a statement authorised by Amir Alvi, President & Head, Manufacturing (Fertilizer) & Supply Chain, Coromandel International Limited.

India: North Chennai ammonia leak contained, traced to undersea pipeline, say authorities

<p>Panic struck thousands of residents in a Chennai neighbourhood late Tuesday (Dec 26) after an ammonia gas leakage was detected from an underwater pipeline.</p>

<p>The residents rushed out on the streets and complained of difficulty in breathing, eyes getting cold and burning of face in the Ennore area of Periyakuppam.</p>

<p>The Hindu reported that several residents were taken to hospital, while teams from police and fire services were deployed on the site. The leak was immediately detected and stopped by the authorities.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Tamil Nadu | Ammonia gas leak detected in a sub-sea pipe in Ennore. This was noticed and stopped. The production head says the leak caused a strong smell and five people felt uneasy and were shifted to a health facility. They are fine now: Officials <a href="https://t.co/bhCE0vjWSF">pic.twitter.com/bhCE0vjWSF</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1739820538556719521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>“Around 3000-4000 people were on the roads last night. We reassured them and told them it was ammonia and the leak was contained after which the panic-like situation was diffused,” Joint Commissioner of Police, Avadi, Vijayakumar, was quoted as saying by the Hindu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also added that 14 people were taken to the hospital while some media reports said at least 30 people were receiving medical attention.</p>

<p>Residents said they could not pass via the beach road last night where the pipeline is located as the leakage was so overwhelming.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Indian Coast Guard battles oil spill in Chennai</strong></p>

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<p>“Many of us had severe burning in the face and nose and were unable to breathe. I couldn’t stand with five masks. We moved to sleeping in temples and even the roads since we could not sleep inside our houses. Fish have died in the water and are floating near the leak spot in the water,” a resident of the area was quoted as saying by the Hindu.</p>

<h2><strong>How did the authorities respond?</strong></h2>

<p>Environment Secretary Supriya Sahu of Tamil Nadu state said that she received the first report of leakage at 12:45 am IST (Dec 27).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The leakage occurred in a pipeline carrying ammonia to an industrial unit and took place during the pre-cooling operation of the pipeline.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/cyclonic-events-in-indian-ocean-throw-rare-venomous-creatures-off-chennai-coast-671945"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Cyclonic events in Indian Ocean throw Blue Sea Dragon, Blue Button off Chennai coast</strong></a></p>

<p>Officials are believed to have reached the incident site at 2:15 am and performed an inspection. According to their observation, the affected unit experienced a pressure drop in the pipeline at around 11:45 pm, after which a pungent odour enveloped the entire area.</p>

<p>The unit responded by immediately shutting down the pipeline and diverting the ammonia vapour to the flare.</p>

<p>This operation was completed within 20 minutes.</p>

<h2><strong>Fish community angered</strong></h2>

<p>The incident has attracted sharp criticism from the fishing community, which has reiterated its demand to declare Ennore an area affected by industrial accidents.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu: People hold protest after Ammonia gas leak was detected in a sub-sea pipe in Ennore.<br />
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According to DIG, Joint Commissioner Avadi, Vijayakumar, there are no more gas (ammonia) leaks at Ennore. People are back home. Medical and police teams are… <a href="https://t.co/APYymkgY6X">pic.twitter.com/APYymkgY6X</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1739851270700269880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>They also urged the authorities to take action against the companies responsible for the leakage, along with demanding compensation for themselves.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Panic struck thousands of residents in a Chennai neighbourhood late Tuesday (Dec 26) after an ammonia gas leakage was detected from an underwater pipeline. The residents rushed out on the streets and complained of difficulty in breathing, eyes getting cold and burning of face in the Ennore area of Periyakuppam.

Panic struck thousands of residents in a Chennai neighbourhood late Tuesday (Dec 26) after an ammonia gas leakage was detected from an underwater pipeline. The residents rushed out on the streets and complained of difficulty in breathing, eyes getting cold and burning of face in the Ennore area of Periyakuppam. The Hindu reported that several residents were taken to hospital, while teams from police and fire services were deployed on the site. The leak was immediately detected and stopped by the authorities. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Ammonia gas leak detected in a sub-sea pipe in Ennore. This was noticed and stopped. The production head says the leak caused a strong smell and five people felt uneasy and were shifted to a health facility. They are fine now: Officials pic.twitter.com/bhCE0vjWSF — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023 × “Around 3000-4000 people were on the roads last night. We reassured them and told them it was ammonia and the leak was contained after which the panic-like situation was diffused,” Joint Commissioner of Police, Avadi, Vijayakumar, was quoted as saying by the Hindu. He also added that 14 people were taken to the hospital while some media reports said at least 30 people were receiving medical attention. Residents said they could not pass via the beach road last night where the pipeline is located as the leakage was so overwhelming. Watch: Indian Coast Guard battles oil spill in Chennai × “Many of us had severe burning in the face and nose and were unable to breathe. I couldn’t stand with five masks. We moved to sleeping in temples and even the roads since we could not sleep inside our houses. Fish have died in the water and are floating near the leak spot in the water,” a resident of the area was quoted as saying by the Hindu. How did the authorities respond? Environment Secretary Supriya Sahu of Tamil Nadu state said that she received the first report of leakage at 12:45 am IST (Dec 27). The leakage occurred in a pipeline carrying ammonia to an industrial unit and took place during the pre-cooling operation of the pipeline. Also read: Cyclonic events in Indian Ocean throw Blue Sea Dragon, Blue Button off Chennai coast Officials are believed to have reached the incident site at 2:15 am and performed an inspection. According to their observation, the affected unit experienced a pressure drop in the pipeline at around 11:45 pm, after which a pungent odour enveloped the entire area. The unit responded by immediately shutting down the pipeline and diverting the ammonia vapour to the flare. This operation was completed within 20 minutes. Fish community angered The incident has attracted sharp criticism from the fishing community, which has reiterated its demand to declare Ennore an area affected by industrial accidents. #WATCH | Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu: People hold protest after Ammonia gas leak was detected in a sub-sea pipe in Ennore. According to DIG, Joint Commissioner Avadi, Vijayakumar, there are no more gas (ammonia) leaks at Ennore. People are back home. Medical and police teams are… pic.twitter.com/APYymkgY6X — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023 × They also urged the authorities to take action against the companies responsible for the leakage, along with demanding compensation for themselves. (With inputs from agencies)

Chennai ammonia leakage: Dozens in hospital following industrial accident in Indian city

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