North Chennai was struck by tragedy on Tuesday as a massive steel arch at an under-construction site within the Ennore Thermal Power Station collapsed, leading to the confirmed death of nine workers. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the condolences and promising urgent financial assistance for the injured and their families, the disaster has sparked a national outpouring of grief.
What Was the Sequence of the Tragic Event?
The disaster occurred during the day at the construction site, which is part of a project managed by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) and being executed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). A crucial component of the building, the massive structural steel arch, suddenly collapsed, trapping many workers beneath the wreckage. In the frantic moments after the collapse, emergency crews and site staff pulled survivors from the rubble in a desperate rescue.
Who Are the Victims of This Industrial Mishap?
The human cost of the collapse is profound. Nine workers lost their lives in the incident. Authorities, including Dr. J Radhakrishnan, Chairman of TANGEDCO, have indicated that a majority of the laborers at the site were migrant workers from Assam and neighboring states, turning this into a pan-Indian tragedy. Beyond the nine fatalities, more than ten other individuals sustained serious injuries. One of the injured was in serious condition and taken to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai for emergency treatment.
How Did PM Modi Respond?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sadness over the occurrence on the social media site X. He wished the injured a quick recovery and expressed his sincere condolences to the victims’ families in his message.
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 Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 30, 2025
The Prime Minister’s Office followed this with a concrete announcement of ex-gratia financial assistance. As per the announcement, the next of kin of each deceased will receive ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Furthermore, each injured person will be provided ₹50,000 to help cover their medical expenses. This gesture is aimed at providing some immediate support to those affected by the sudden tragedy.
While rescue teams worked to make sure no one was still trapped, the Avadi Police Commissionerate said they’ve already started a full investigation into what caused the collapse.
