Chennai: 42 residents of the impacted villages were admitted to the city's public and private hospitals after the ammonia gas leak at a fertiliser plant in North Chennai's Ennore.
Three of the impacted individuals are admitted to the intensive care unit. Nethaji Nagar, which is five km south of the factory, was affected by the strong smell.
"All of the affected people are fine and are continuously being treated. People admitted to the ICU are not severely affected. All are expected to be discharged in a day and the government would take care of their medical expenses," Health Minister Ma. Subramaniyan told the press, the New Indian Express reported.
In the impacted communities, medical camps have been established, and residents are reporting respiratory problems, sore throats, and irritation of their eyes.
In a press release, Coromandel International Limited promised that things would return to normal as soon as possible. "During the process, few members in the community expressed discomfort and were given medical attention immediately," the release read.
However, locals allege no intimation is given by the company. Subashini, a resident of Kattukuppam told TNIE, "Few workers who were returning from noticed abnormality and panickingly alerted the villagers. People were transported through ambulance and government bus."
The Coromandel company has asked that operations at the Ennore Minor port be suspended in response to the alleged gas leak in a letter to the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board.
"It will be brought into operation after rectification of abnormalities to the satisfaction and certification of concerned authorities," the letter read.
The government has ordered that the plant's operations be temporarily suspended for one week. Locals, meanwhile, are demanding that the plant be closed permanently.