Seven workers died and 11 others suffered injuries after water and debris suddenly entered an under-construction tunnel at a hydroelectric project in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district.
The accident happened on Thursday at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) project in the Pipalkoti area. Rescue teams have continued their search for six workers who remain missing, CNN-News18 reported. Officials initially said 22 workers were trapped inside the tunnel. However, the number was later found to be higher.
Authorities have now confirmed that seven workers died in the accident. Eleven others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Rescue teams have already brought out 22 workers, while six people remain unaccounted for. The Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) was carrying out the tunnel construction work.
Multiple Agencies Join Rescue Operation
Police and disaster response teams reached the site soon after the accident. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other agencies also joined the rescue operation. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Army later deployed teams to support the operation.
Rescuers faced difficult conditions inside the tunnel. Heavy flooding left water at chest level in several areas. NDRF Inspector Amrit Lal Meena said rescue personnel entered the flooded section to locate trapped workers and recover bodies.
“We waded through the water, and a few team members were equipped with specialised gear to carry out underwater operations. The four bodies were submerged and not visible from the surface, so we went inside and recovered all four from the incident site," Meena told the media. The rescue teams used specialised equipment to search areas that rescuers could not inspect from the surface.
Six Workers Still Missing
Authorities have not yet located six workers. Rescue teams continue to search the tunnel despite the difficult conditions. Officials are monitoring the operation closely and are prepared to bring in more teams if necessary.
The flooding and debris inside the tunnel have made the search operation challenging. Teams are working to clear the affected sections and reach areas where the missing workers could be trapped.
CM Orders Rescue On War Footing
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the deaths. Dhami condemned the accident and directed officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a “war footing".
The state government has also instructed agencies to maintain close coordination during the rescue effort. Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said authorities were monitoring the situation continuously.
Emergency operation centres are tracking developments at the site. Officials are also ready to deploy additional rescue teams if required. The immediate priority remains locating the six missing workers, rescuing anyone still trapped and providing medical care to those injured in the accident.