Tragedy Strikes as Nine Workers Die in Tamil Nadu Accident

Nine migrant workers lost their lives and several others were injured when a steel arch collapsed at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. The incident occurred while the workers were constructing a concrete arch for the 1,320-MW thermal power station, with the scaffolding collapsing from a height of over 20 feet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh for the families of each deceased worker and Rs. 50,000 for the injured. The workers, primarily from Assam, were trapped when the structure fell, leading to immediate rescue efforts by their colleagues. Unfortunately, nine workers died on the way to the hospital, while one remains under treatment at Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai.

Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, chairman of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), visited the hospital to assess the situation and meet the injured. He confirmed that the workers were engaged in construction when the accident occurred. The Avadi Police Commissionerate is currently investigating the cause of the collapse, and rescue operations are ongoing.

The deceased have been identified as Munnakempral, Vidayum Pravotsha, Sumon Karikap, Deepak Raijiung, Sarbonit Thausen, Pranto Sorong, Paban Sorong, Phaibit Phonglo, and Bimaraj Thausen. Authorities are working to gather more information about the incident as the investigation continues.