In her condolence message, the Chief Minister said she was deeply grieved to learn that four workers were charred to death after a fire broke out near the conveyor belt, carrying coal, at the 400 MW private thermal power plant in Puthur Pandiapuram in Thoothukudi district today.

The statement further noted that five others suffered burns in the fire mishap at the power plant and were admitted to a hospital for treatment. Police and Fire service personnel, along with fire fighting units rushed to the spot and put out the fire.

Expressing her grief to the bereaved families of the four deceased persons, Ms Jayalalithaa announced assistance of one lakh rupees each to them from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund. She also wished the injured persons a speedy recovery and announced an assistance of 25,000 rupees to those who sustained severe injuries and 10,000 rupees each to those who suffered minor injuries.