Chennai, June 23 -- The toll in the ammonia gas leak tragedy in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district grew to nine, the state government said on Tuesday.

According to a health department press release, the deceased, all women, were identified as Shibani, Jumani Juang, Geetha Juanga, Purnima Juanga, Champabati Juanga, Parbavathi Juanga from Odisha, and Sita Hasda and Anjila Soren from Assam.

"As of June 23, 9 fatalities were reported", the release said.

The department said the affected individuals presented with symptoms consistent with ammonia inhalation, including breathlessness, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, coughing, chest discomfort and varying degrees of respiratory distress.

"The exact cause of the incident is current...