Bhubaneswar: The death toll of Odia workers in the ammonia gas leak tragedy at a seafood processing unit in Tamil Nadu has risen to eleven after a 16-year-old girl from Odisha died while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Chennai.

The deceased has been identified as Sumitra Juang, daughter of Nilamani Juang of Pitanali village under Telkoi police limits in Keonjhar district. The District Labour Department confirmed her death on Friday.

According to family members, Sumitra had passed her Class 10 examination in 2025 but could not pursue higher education because of financial constraints. Hoping to earn money to continue her studies, she had travelled to Tamil Nadu for work.

Her mother, Samabari Juang, broke down after learning about her daughter's death. She said Sumitra had left home with dreams of earning enough to pay for college, but lost her life before she could fulfil those aspirations.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday at a private seafood processing and export unit in Kannigaipair village near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. A suspected ammonia gas leak exposed workers to toxic fumes, causing severe health complications.

Reports said around 120 migrant workers from Odisha, Assam and Jharkhand were present at the factory when the leak occurred. Many workers complained of breathing difficulties, dizziness and eye irritation after inhaling the gas, while several collapsed at the workplace.

The Odisha government has been closely monitoring the situation and has deputed a three-member team to Tamil Nadu to coordinate relief measures and provide assistance to the affected workers from the state. The team is also working with the Tamil Nadu authorities to support the families of the deceased and those who are still undergoing treatment.