A tragic accident at the Ennore Thermal Power construction site in Tamil Nadu has resulted in the deaths of nine workers. The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, when a part of an under-construction coal-handling shed collapsed. The victims were migrant workers from Assam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences for the deceased and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each worker who died. Additionally, ₹50,000 will be given to those who were injured in the collapse.
The accident took place at the Ennore Special Economic Zone thermal power project near Ponneri in North Chennai. The workers were constructing a concrete arch for the 1,320-megawatt Ennore SEZ thermal power station when the metal scaffolding gave way, causing them to fall nearly 30 feet.
According to J. Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), approximately ten individuals were working on the space frame structure at a height of about 45 meters (roughly 150 feet) when the incident occurred around 5:45 pm. Three grid bays of the space frame reportedly collapsed to the ground along with the nine workers who were connecting them. One worker, Mangal, age 36, was injured and admitted to the Government Stanley Medical College (GSMC) in Chennai.
The deceased have been identified as Munnakempral, Vidayum Pravotsha, Sumon Karikap, Deepak Raijiung, Sarbojit Thausen, Pranto Sorong, Paban Sorong, Phaibit Phonglo, and Bimaraj Thausen. Their bodies were taken to GSMC for postmortem.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also conveyed his condolences and announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He has directed Power Minister Sivasankar and senior TANGEDCO officials to personally supervise relief and recovery operations. Stalin also ordered that steps be taken to transport the mortal remains to their home state.
The main contractor for the North Chennai Thermal Power Station expansion project is Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). J Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of TANGEDCO, stated that BHEL officials are present at the site.
Police officers from the Avadi Commissionerate are investigating the cause of the collapse. The Kattur police have filed a case and sealed off the site pending structural inspections. Grieving coworkers gathered outside Stanley Hospital, demanding proper compensation and improved workplace safety.
