Tragic Incident at Tamil Nadu Ethanol Plant Claims Life of Odisha Worker

A tragic accident at an ethanol manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu has resulted in the death of a migrant worker from Odisha and left four others critically injured. The incident occurred when workers were cleaning a storage tank without adequate safety measures, leading to exposure to toxic gases. Emergency services managed to rescue the affected workers, but one succumbed to the fumes. Investigations are underway to determine the cause and whether safety protocols were followed, highlighting ongoing concerns about workplace safety for migrant laborers in hazardous environments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 28, 2026, 15:52 IST

Fatal Accident in Tamil Nadu's Ethanol Factory

Chennai/Bhubaneswar: A devastating incident occurred at an ethanol production facility near Gummidipoondi in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district, resulting in the death of a migrant worker from Odisha and leaving four others in critical condition after they inhaled toxic gas inside a water tank, according to officials.

The accident transpired at a private factory in Thervoy Kandigai village, where workers were engaged in routine maintenance to clean a storage tank.

Initial reports indicate that the workers entered the confined space without proper protective equipment, leading to exposure to hazardous fumes.

One worker, identified as Dhananjay Mali from Odisha, reportedly collapsed inside the tank after being overwhelmed by the toxic gas.

In a bid to save him, four colleagues entered the tank sequentially but also succumbed to the suffocating fumes.

Emergency services were promptly notified, and personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services arrived on the scene equipped with safety gear.

The rescue team successfully extracted all five workers from the tank after a coordinated effort under difficult circumstances.

Tragically, Mali was pronounced dead at the scene, with officials suspecting that prolonged exposure to the toxic gases led to his death.

The other four workers, who were severely affected, were transported to Tiruvallur Government Hospital, where they are currently receiving intensive care and remain in critical condition.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident may have resulted from the buildup of toxic gases in the tank, potentially due to fermentation residues or insufficient ventilation.

Authorities are also reviewing whether appropriate safety measures, including protective gear and gas detection protocols, were adhered to before allowing workers to enter the confined space.

The Labour Department and local police have launched an investigation into the incident, with further actions pending based on the findings, which may include addressing negligence or breaches of industrial safety regulations. This incident has once again highlighted serious concerns regarding workplace safety standards in industrial settings, especially those involving hazardous conditions and migrant workers.