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9 dead after under-construction steel arch collapses in Chennai; PM Modi, Stalin condole incident
An under-construction building in Chennai collapsed on Tuesday. As per police officials, several people are feared dead.
An under-construction steel arch in Chennai collapsed on Tuesday, killing nine people. As per police officials, the incident occurred at the construction site of the Ennore Thermal Power in north Chennai. Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced an ex-gratia amount of the families of the victims.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said he has ordered Power Minister S S Sivasankar and TANGEDCO Chairman K Radhakrishnan to immediately oversee relief work at the accident site.
As per Dr J Radhakrishnan, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), majority of the workers were from Assam and the surrounding areas.
"There was an unfortunate incident at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site where a steel arch fell and nine people died. These people were from Assam and the surrounding areas. One person is injured. BHEL officials are present at the spot," Radhakrishnan told reporters on site.
The preliminary reports suggest that one worker suffered serious injuries. The injured individuals were rushed to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai for treatment.
As per ANI, police officials are still probing the exact cause of the accident and authorities are conducting a further probe into the matter.
"More than 10 others were seriously hurt in the collapse incident. The victims have been rushed to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined. Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident," Avadi Police Commissionerate was quoted as saying by ANI.
CM Stalin announces ex-gratia for victims' kin
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of each deceased and ordered that steps be taken to transport the mortal remains to their home state.
"I am deeply saddened to hear that nine workers from Assam lost their lives in an accident that occurred during the construction work carried out by BHEL in Ennore. I convey my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives," the chief minister said in a post on X.
PM Modi reacts, announces ex-gratis of Rs. 2 lakh
PM Modi took to X to express grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia for the families of the victims in Chennai.
“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 PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” read the statement issued by the PMO.
