ALBAWABA- Nine workers were killed and 15 others injured when a massive steel arch collapsed at the Ennore Thermal Power Station construction site in Chennai on Tuesday.
The accident occurred around 11:30 AM IST, sending shockwaves through the industrial hub as emergency crews rushed to rescue trapped laborers.
Tamil Nadu’s Additional Chief Secretary, Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, confirmed that all deceased workers were from Assam, reflecting the diverse workforce at the site.
Rescue operations, led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local fire services, concluded by late afternoon, with the recovery of the last of the victims. Three of the injured remain in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden groan from the steel framework before it buckled, burying workers under tons of debris. The collapse occurred amid ongoing expansion work aimed at increasing the plant’s 450 MW capacity.
Preliminary reports suggest structural weaknesses in the arch assembly may have contributed, raising serious concerns about safety standards. The Ennore plant, operated by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), has been a key component of the state’s energy grid since 1970.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, announcing an ex-gratia payment of 5 lakh rupees ($6,000) to the families of the deceased and promising a full investigation.
Labor unions have called for an immediate halt to construction at the site, demanding stricter safety oversight. Authorities are reviewing work protocols and timelines as they investigate the cause of the collapse.
