Rescuers in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district found one more body inside a flooded tunnel under construction, raising the death toll to eight. Two workers are still trapped inside, and rescue teams are racing against time to reach them.
The incident happened at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation's (THDC) Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Mayapur (Pipalkoti). Landslides and subsidence caused debris and water to fill half of the three-kilometre tunnel, trapping 22 workers inside.
Chamoli Tunnel Rescue Operation Continues After New Body Found
According to The Tribune, rescuers on Saturday found one more dead inside the tunnel, which was inundated with water two days ago. This brought the total casualties to eight, with seven workers having died over Thursday and Friday.
Chamoli ADM Vivek Prakash confirmed that one more body was recovered during the rescue operation on Saturday. Rescue teams are currently draining the water from the tunnel to reach the remaining trapped workers.
How the Chamoli Tunnel Flooding Trapped Workers
The water rushed into the tunnel around 7 pm on Thursday, according to District Disaster Management Officer N K Joshi. The sudden flooding caught workers by surprise, leaving 22 people trapped inside the under-construction tunnel.
The The Hindu reports that the incident occurred when landslides and subsidence caused debris and water to fill half of the tunnel. The rescue operation has been ongoing since Thursday night, with teams working to pump out water and clear debris.
"Rescuers on Saturday found one more dead inside a tunnel under construction inundated with water two days ago here, leading to the death of seven workers, with the clock ticking for the couple of workers still inside." — The Tribune
Rescue Teams Race Against Time for Trapped Workers
The rescue operation is now focused on reaching the two workers still trapped inside the tunnel. Teams are working to drain the remaining water and clear debris to access the area where the workers are believed to be located.
According to Greater Jammu, the situation remains critical as rescue teams continue their efforts. The operation involves multiple agencies working together to reach the trapped workers as quickly as possible.
The incident has raised concerns about safety at construction sites, particularly at hydroelectric projects in mountainous regions. The DT Next has been tracking the Chamoli tunnel incident as it develops.
Our Take: Chamoli Tunnel Tragedy Highlights Construction Safety Gaps
This tragedy in Chamoli is a painful reminder of the risks that workers face at construction sites in difficult terrain. Eight families have lost their loved ones, and two more families are waiting in agony for news of their relatives still trapped inside.
To put it plainly, the speed of the flooding — water rushing in within moments — suggests that better warning systems and safety protocols could have made a difference. When landslides and subsidence are known risks in such mountainous regions, projects must have stronger safeguards in place.
The focus right now must be on the rescue operation and reaching the two workers still trapped. But once this is over, authorities need to ask hard questions about why workers were in a tunnel when such risks were present, and what can be done to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the workers still waiting to be rescued.