9 killed as portion of transport corporation building collapses in Nagapattinam
A portion of an over six-decade-old building of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation’s Porayar branch in Nagapattinam district collapsed this morning killing eight crew members
Nine Tamil Nadu transport staffers were killed early on Friday when a part of the roof of an old bus stand collapsed on them.
Three others sustained injuries in the accident that took place in Nagapattinam’s Porayar, officials said, and hundreds of people gathered to protest against the deaths.
Seven of the dead were bus conductors with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and eighth victim a driver. A ninth person succumbed to injuries later.
As soon as news of the deaths spread, hundreds of people congregated near the bus stand and surrounded state transport minister MR Vijayabhaskar and the district collector.
They demanded adequate compensation as well as a government job to one of the family members of the deceased.
Chief minister Edapaddi Palanisami announced a solatium of Rs 7.5 lakh to the family members of each of the deceased and Rs 1.50 Lakh to the seriously injured. Those with minor injuries will receive Rs 50,000 according to a government announcement.
The CM also announced a job for a family member of the deceased in the transport department, on the basis of their qualifications .
Transport minister Vijaybhaskar told media persons that the roof collapsed since the building was 70 years old. He has ordered an inquiry and promised compensation to family members of the deceased.
A local DMK leader said the government could have avoided the deaths if it acted in time to repair the decrepit building.
