Ennore accident: PM Modi extends condolences

A tragic accident at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site in Tamil Nadu claimed the lives of nine workers on Tuesday after a steel arch collapsed during ongoing construction work.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced financial assistance. “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,” the PMO posted on X. The Prime Minister sanctioned an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

According to Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) Chairman Dr. J Radhakrishnan, the deceased workers were largely from Assam and nearby regions. “Nine workers died when a steel arch collapsed at the site. One more was seriously injured. BHEL officials are present at the spot,” he told reporters.

Police officials confirmed that over 10 others sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai. The condition of some remains critical.

Rescue operations are currently underway, with teams deployed to clear the debris and search for survivors. The Avadi Police Commissionerate has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse.

The incident has raised serious safety concerns regarding ongoing infrastructure projects, even as the government and company officials assured that a detailed probe will be conducted.