Tamil Nadu CM announces Rs 5 lakh compensation for Tiruvarur victims

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam today announced a solatium of Rs five lakh for the families of those killed when an under-construction building of the Central University campus collapsed in Tiruvarur.

Five persons were killed and 16 were injured yesterday when an under construction staff quarters of the Central University collapsed.

Chief Minister also announced a financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to the persons who sustained injuries in the mishap.

Making an announcement on the issue in the Assembly, Panneerselvam said out of the five dead, two hailed from Odisha, one from Uttar Pradesh and two others from Tamil Nadu.

Twenty one construction workers got trapped in the debris after a portion of a building collapsed when the centring work for concrete slab was in progress, he said moments after DMK leader M K Stalin tried to raise the issue.

Notices were given to Speaker P Dhanapal by parties including DMK, CPI(M), CPI, PMK and Congress seeking the Chair's nod to raise the issue.

"Immediately police, fire and rescue, medical team, revenue and public works personnel rushed to the spot and carried out relief works and the injured were taken to the Tiruvarur Government Medical College hospital where five died," he said.

Intensive medical care is being provided to 16 survivors, he said, adding 10 out of them sustained bone and crush injuries.

Headed by the Dean of the state run medical college hospital, a team of 60 medical personnel including 12 medical specialists were providing treatment, he said.

Four persons have been arrested and cases under various sections of IPC registered including causing death due to negligence 304 (ii) and a further probe is on, he said.

Manager of a Hyderabad based construction contracting firm and field engineer are among those arrested.