The Tiruvallur district police on Friday (June 26, 2026) arrested the main agent who brought migrant workers from Odisha to the private sea food processing unit, near Periyapalayam, where an ammonia gas leak has so far claimed 13 lives.

The arrested man, identified as Suresh Prabhat, 41, of Odisha, helped in engaging migrant workers for the company. Police sources said he was arrested under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The sources said Suresh was identified at the initial stage of the probe a couple of days ago. But he was kept under surveillance at a private marriage hall, along with migrant workers, until the bodies of the victims were identified.

The police have already arrested factory owners M. Joseph Jegan, 49, of Royapuram and M. Mohan, 59, of Tondiarpet, and factory manager R. Daniel, 70.

Meanwhile, district officials helped in the return of more than 60 migrant workers to their home State.