FIR registered, three contractors arrested for Ennore thermal plant accident

CHENNAI: The Kattur police have registered a case and arrested three contractors in connection with the Ennore thermal power station accident. The FIR, registered as Crime No. E4 CRNO 263/2025, invoking Sections 106 and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

A major accident took place at the Ennore thermal power construction site in Tamil Nadu, where a steel arch collapsed, leading to the deaths of nine workers. The arrested contractors have been identified as Rithish Gupta, Anup and Sumeet Manikandan. The police have launched an investigation into the incident, and further details are awaited.

Earlier on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister S S Sivashankar, along with Tamil Nadu Electricity Board’s Additional Chief Secretary and chairman J Radhakrishnan, visited Stanley Government Hospital to meet the worker who was injured in the accident at the Ennore Thermal Power Project construction site near Ponneri, Chennai, and is undergoing treatment. They also paid respects to the mortal remains of nine workers from Assam, who died in the tragic incident.

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: State Health Minister Ma. Subramanian visited Stanley Medical College to meet the person injured in the steel arch collapse incident at Ennore Thermal Power construction site yesterday. Nine people have died in the incident. pic.twitter.com/qUIaIHTBfZ

— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2025

Sivashankar expressed his condolences over the tragedy and said, “This unfortunate incident at the Ennore thermal power station has caused the loss of nine precious lives. The accident occurred during the roofing work of a coal storage warehouse”.

Sivashankar also stated that the Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to each of the deceased workers’ families. He added that the state government will also conduct a thorough review of safety measures at the power project site.

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Morning visuals from Ennore Thermal Power construction site, where nine workers died in a steel arch collapse yesterday pic.twitter.com/zzIQFzDvxh

— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2025

Meanwhile, the mortal remains of nine workers who died in the Ennore power plant accident are kept at Stanley Hospital, Chennai, for post-mortem. After completing the formalities, the mortals’ remains will be sent to their homes in Assam.

BHEL, which is overseeing the project, has arranged for the transportation of the mortal remains by air to Assam.  According to J Radhakrishnan, chairman of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), these workers were from Assam and the surrounding areas.

#WATCH | Chennai steel arch collapse | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Dr J.Radhakrishnan, Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and Chairman of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) says, “Two coal sheds which are being constructed and Ennore Thermal Power… pic.twitter.com/CKA3iRz1dU

— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2025

“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.

According to police officials, the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, and authorities are conducting a further probe into the matter.

A worker at the power station construction site recounted the moment when a steel arch collapsed near Chennai, resulting in the death of nine migrant workers on Tuesday. Speaking to the media, the worker said, “I am new here. I don’t know the name of that part (of the arch) very well. But it was the middle connection. Suddenly, there was a noise, and that middle part fell out, and then everything else just collapsed.”

#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Relatives of those who died in the steel arch collapse incident at Ennore Thermal Power construction site yesterday, arrive at Stanley Medical College. Postmortem of the deceased is being done here. pic.twitter.com/HMCiEgNtn9

— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2025

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government is coordinating with the authorities in Tamil Nadu to bring back the mortal remains of the nine migrant workers who reportedly succumbed to death after falling down at a construction site at Minjur, Thiruvallur district on Tuesday.

In a post shared on X, Assam CM said, “9 migrant workers from Assam have reportedly succumbed to death after falling down at a construction site at Minjur, Thiruvallur district, today while carrying out construction works for extension of North Chennai Thermal Power Station.”

“Four of the victims are from Karbi Anglong District and 5 from Hojai District. We are coordinating with authorities in Tamil Nadu to bring back their mortal remains at the earliest,” Sarma added in her post. CM Sarma indentified the victims as: Munna Kemprai, Sorbojit Thausen, Phaibit Fanglu, Bidayum Porbosa, Paban Sorong, Prayanto Sorong, Suman Kharikap, Dimaraj Thousen, Dipak Raijung.”My deepest condolences to their families and well wishers,” he said.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of each victim of the Ennore Power Plant collapse on Tuesday. In a post on social media platform X, Stalin also expressed his sorrow over the deaths of nine workers and extended his condolences to their families.

“I was deeply saddened to hear the news that nine workers from the state of Assam lost their lives in an accident that occurred during the construction work of the power plant being carried out by #BHEL company in Ennore. I convey my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives… I have also ordered that a compensation of Rs.10 lakhs each be provided to the families of the deceased workers, and that measures be taken to transport their bodies to their home state,” wrote Stalin.

Additionally, the Tamil Nadu CM stated that he has instructed the state electricity minister and the Chairman of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to visit the site and undertake relief work. “I have instructed the Honorable Minister for Electricity, Thiru.@Sivasankar1ss, and the Chairman of @TANGEDCO_Offcl, Thiru. @Rakr, to immediately go to the site and carry out relief work”, added Stalin. (ANI)