Ennore Collapse Kills Nine; Three Die in Idukki

On Oct. 1, 2025 three workers from Theni — Jayaraman (Cumbum), Michael and Sundarapandian (Gudalur) — died of apparent asphyxiation after being rescued unconscious while cleaning a disused roughly 10‑foot septic tank at a private hotel in Kattapanai, Idukki; police said they entered the tank without mandated safety gear and have registered a case pending post‑mortem. Separately, on Sept. 30, 2025 a structural failure at the under‑construction Ennore SEZ thermal power project near Chennai killed nine contractual/guest workers from Assam and injured one after an iron scaffolding/steel arch gave way while they were working at height on Stage 4 of the 1,320 MW plant, which officials say is about 70% complete. Authorities said the Ennore workers had been hired through a BHEL subcontractor; bodies were taken to Stanley Government Hospital and police, safety inspectors and forensic teams have launched investigations into the cause and compliance with safety norms. State authorities and BHEL said safety measures were reportedly in place but the sudden failure left little chance of survival. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed grief and announced ex‑gratia/compensation and assistance to the victims’ families.