Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse Leaves 7 Dead, 14 Injured; Rescue Ops Underway for One Trapped

Seven workers were killed and 14 injured after a sudden surge of debris and water entered an under-construction hydro tunnel.

At a THDC project in Mayapur (Pipalkoti) in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Thursday evening. One worker remains trapped inside, while 21 of the 22 workers present at the site have been accounted for. The incident took place around 6:45 pm when debris and water suddenly entered the tunnel being constructed by HCC, trapping workers from the ongoing shift.

A large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately, with the SDRF, NDRF, Army, ITBP, police, CISF and other agencies deployed at the site. Rescue teams are using heavy machinery to clear debris and remove water from the tunnel.

SDRF personnel have also deployed improvised drum boats to reach areas cut off by the water and debris. Efforts are continuing to locate and evacuate the worker still trapped inside.

Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the tunnel forms part of a THDC hydropower project. He said a large volume of debris and water entered the tunnel between 6:30 pm and 6:45 pm, trapping workers who were on duty.

Earlier, officials said 16 workers had been rescued by around 9 pm. The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment, with seriously injured workers to be referred to higher medical centres if required.

Rescue operations are being coordinated by the District Incident Response Force, SDRF, NDRF, local police, CISF and other emergency teams. Authorities have deployed all available machinery and personnel to clear the tunnel and reach the trapped worker.

CM MONITORS RESCUE EFFORT

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is closely monitoring the rescue operation and has directed officials to work on a war footing. Dhami said NDRF and SDRF teams had been rushed to the site and instructed the district administration and concerned departments to maintain close coordination.

“The government’s top priority is to ensure the safe evacuation of every person trapped inside the tunnel,” Dhami said, adding that all necessary resources had been mobilised. He also directed officials to ensure there was no delay in the rescue operation and to provide assistance to the injured and the families of those affected.

Dhami said he had spoken to the Chief Ministers of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh about the incident.

Authorities are yet to determine what triggered the sudden entry of debris and water into the under-construction tunnel. Rescue teams remain engaged in efforts to reach the remaining trapped worker.