Nine workers were killed and ten others injured in a major industrial accident at the North Chennai Thermal Power Station construction site in Ennore on Tuesday.
Preliminary reports indicate that a newly-constructed arch collapsed by approximately 30 feet, trapping several migrant workers beneath the debris. While one worker sustained grievous injuries, over ten others were reported to be seriously hurt. The injured were swiftly transported to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai.
Dr J Radhakrishnan, Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and Chairman of TANGEDCO, visited the hospital to meet the injured workers and assess the situation. The Avadi Police Commissionerate confirmed that rescue operations are currently underway and an investigation has been launched into the incident, though the exact cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained.
The tragedy recalls a separate incident from February of this year during the demolition of Madurai’s iconic arch at Mattuthavani Bus Stand. Built in 1981 during MG Ramachandran’s tenure, the arch was being removed for road expansion when a pillar collapsed, crushing the earthmover operator to death and severely injuring the contractor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the "tragic building collapse in Chennai" and announced financial assistance for the victims. In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office conveyed: "Saddened by the mishap due to the collapse of a building in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families in this difficult hour. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured." An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased person, and ₹50,000 for those injured in the incident.
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