More than 180 women workers fell sick after they inhaled suspected ammonia gas at Brandix Apparel India City in the SEZ at Atchyutapuram in Anakapalli district.
As per media reports, most of the women, who fell sick, were released after being given first aid at the company hospital. Some of them have been admitted to Atchyutapuram and Anakapalli hospitals, where their condition has been reported to be stable.
Notably, Brandix has 22,000 employees on its rolls, of which 18,000 are women.
Jagan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has inquired about the gas leak incident and sought details from the authorities. He has also ordered a detailed investigation into the incident and asked the relevant authorities to take steps to avoid such mishaps in future.
Gudivada Amarnath, Industries Minister, said a committee has been formed to ascertain the source of the leak and identify the gas.
The company has claimed that the gas did not emanate from the factory. Since none of the units and air conditioning system use ammonia, it might have come from other units located close to the SEZ.
The gas is, reportedly, suspected to have leaked from Porus Laboratories located outside the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), SEZ at Atchyutapuram.
The workers inhaled gas at about 11.30am at Brandix Intimate Ltd. (formerly known as Quantum Seeds), following which they felt suffocated and nauseous. Immediately, they were sent to the in-house clinic and the factory operations were halted.
Local media has quoted joint chief engineer of AP Pollution Control Board, Rajendra Reddy saying that the leak was for a short duration and that it is difficult to identify the gas.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
