Tamil Nadu tragedy: 9 workers killed; steel arch collapses at build site

NEW DELHI: Nine workers died and several others were injured when a steel arch collapsed at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.


According to Dr J Radhakrishnan, chairman of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), the workers were from Assam and nearby areas. “There was an unfortunate incident at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site where a steel arch fell, resulting in nine deaths. One person is injured. BHEL officials are present at the spot,” he told reporters.

Preliminary reports indicate that some of the injured suffered serious injuries and have been taken to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai.

Police officials said the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation. “More than 10 others were seriously hurt in the collapse. Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities have launched a detailed probe into the incident,” the Avadi Police Commissionerate said.

Reacting to the incident, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "We are coordinating with authorities in Tamil Nadu to bring back their mortal remains at the earliest."

More details awaited.

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