CHENNAI: About 60 people have been hospitalised after an ammonia leak from a pipeline belonging to India’s Coromandel International near its Ennore plant in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the government said.

The people were hospitalised after they had difficulty in breathing and a burning sensation in the eyes, and 52 people are still under observation, the government said in a statement.

The leak took place when Coromandel’s fertiliser manufacturing unit was preparing to receive an ammonia shipment through its 2.5 kilometre-long undersea pipeline.

“The unit observed pressure drop in the pipeline at around 11.45pm and simultaneously observed pungent odour around the storage terminal and near the material gate,” the statement said.

“They will identify the exact location and the extent of pipeline damage within a day and will rectify the same before commencing the ammonia transfer.” Coromandel’s shares dropped as much as 3.7pc on Wednesday, before closing 1.6pc lower.

“All are safe and normalcy is restored. We have informed relevant authorities about the incident,” Coromandel said in an exchange filing earlier in the day.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2023