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Nine Assam Workers Killed in Tamil Nadu Collapse
Nine workers from Assam died and one was injured after scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in Ennore, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The incident occurred late Tuesday evening at the Ennore Special Economic Zone thermal power project under construction.
What Happened
Workers were assembling a steel arch supported by metal scaffolding when the structure gave way and they plunged down from about 20 to 30 feet, according to police reports. Rescue teams rushed the injured person to Stanley Government Hospital, where they are receiving treatment in stable condition.
Identities and Details
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed all nine victims were from Assam — four from Karbi Anglong and five from Hojai districts. He also named the deceased. The injured worker is being treated, and no further fatalities have been reported.
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin conveyed condolences and declared that families of the dead would receive ₹10 lakh each. He also instructed officials to ensure safe transport of remains back to Assam and deployed senior officials to oversee relief efforts.
Ongoing Investigation
Police from the Avadi commissionerate have registered a case and sealed off the site. Officials are examining structural integrity, safety practices, and adherence to norms by the contractor, BHEL. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
