Key Points:
- Nine migrant workers from Assam died instantly when a massive steel arch collapsed from 45 meters (147 feet) height at Ennore SEZ Thermal Power Plant on September 30, 2025
- One worker survived with injuries and is receiving treatment at Stanley Government Hospital in stable condition
- All 10 workers were wearing safety gear and working on a coal handling shed cover installation when the structure collapsed
- Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family; PM Modi announced additional ₹2 lakh
- The 1,320 MW thermal power project by BHEL is 70% complete with around 3,000 workers on site
- Police have registered a case against supervisory staff of contractor Metalkarma Engineering Technologies (MET)
Tiruvallur: A devastating industrial accident at the Ennore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Supercritical Thermal Power Plant claimed nine lives on September 30, 2025, when a massive steel arch structure collapsed while workers were installing a protective cover over a coal handling unit. The tragedy occurred at Stage 4 of the thermal power project, located in Voyalur, Tiruvallur district, approximately 50 kilometers from Chennai.
According to Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), the incident happened around 5:45 PM when 10 contractual workers were fitting a steel arch cover designed to shield coal stockpiles from weather elements. The workers were operating at a height of approximately 45 meters (147 feet) when three grid bays of the space frame structure suddenly gave way, causing a catastrophic collapse.
Victims Identified as Migrant Workers from Assam
All nine deceased workers were migrant laborers from Assam employed through Metalkarma Engineering Technologies (MET), a subcontractor of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). Hospital authorities at Stanley Medical College identified the victims as Munnakemprai, Vidayum Pravotsha, Sumon Karikap, Deepak Raijiung, Sarbojit Thausen, Pranto Sorong, Paban Sorong, Phaibit Phonglo, and Bimaraj Thausen.
The lone survivor, 36-year-old Mangal, also from Assam, managed to hang onto the steel structure during the collapse and was rescued by emergency teams. He was immediately rushed to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital where he is receiving treatment for abrasions and lacerations. Dr. Radhakrishnan confirmed that despite the severity of the accident, the injured worker’s condition is stable and not critical.
Safety Measures Were in Place, Officials Confirm
Preliminary investigations revealed that all workers were wearing mandatory safety equipment including safety belts at the time of the accident. “Despite safety features like belts, they suddenly fell. The sudden collapse gave them little chance to survive,” Dr. Radhakrishnan explained during his visit to Stanley Hospital. One eyewitness worker described the horrific moment: “Suddenly, there was a noise, and that middle part fell out, and then everything else just collapsed”.
The construction project employs approximately 3,000 workers daily, mostly guest laborers from various states who are provided temporary housing near Minjur. The Ennore SEZ thermal power project consists of two coal-based units with 660 MW capacity each, totaling 1,320 MW, and is currently 70% complete.
Government Response and Compensation Announced
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep condolences and immediately announced comprehensive support measures for the victims’ families. “I was deeply saddened to hear the news that nine workers from the state of Assam lost their lives in an accident during the construction work of the power plant being carried out by BHEL company in Ennore,” Stalin posted on social media platform X.
The state government announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family and arranged for the transportation of bodies back to Assam. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh compensation from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased workers. Stalin also instructed Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji and TANGEDCO officials to personally oversee relief operations.
Investigation Launched into Structural Failure
The Avadi Police Commissionerate has registered a case against the supervisory staff of Metalkarma Engineering Technologies (MET) for further investigation. Police and safety inspectors are conducting a comprehensive probe to determine the exact cause of the structural collapse and whether the construction met mandated safety standards.
BHEL officials were present at the site immediately following the accident, and the company is coordinating with government safety officers. The investigation will examine whether there was any negligence in the design, installation, or supervision of the steel arch structure that failed catastrophically.
Pattern of Industrial Accidents at Power Plants
This tragedy marks the latest in a series of industrial accidents at thermal power construction sites across India. The last fatal accident at a thermal plant occurred at Mettur Thermal Power Station in Salem in December 2024, claiming two workers’ lives. The Ennore incident has raised urgent questions about safety oversight protocols at large-scale industrial projects where migrant workers form the backbone of the workforce.
Hospital Security Enhanced as Families Expected
Security has been stepped up at Stanley Government Hospital as families and representatives from labor unions prepare to arrive from Assam. The hospital has shifted all nine bodies to the mortuary, and post-mortem examinations are expected to be completed. State government officials are working to notify the families and coordinate the repatriation of the deceased workers to their home state.
The tragic incident has once again highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in India’s construction industry and the critical need for enhanced safety measures at industrial project sites.
