GOPESHWAR/DEHRADUN: The tragic tunnel accident in Chamoli District, Uttarakhand, has claimed the lives of nine workers, following the recovery of another body on Tuesday. Rescue teams are actively searching for the final missing worker.
Officials, including Chamoli District Disaster Management Officer NK Joshi, confirmed that the body was discovered during search operations initiated after the accident on August 13. This devastating incident occurred when a landslide filled the tunnel with debris and water. The deceased body has been sent to Gopeshwar District Hospital for identification.
With the recovery of the most recent body, the death toll now stands at nine, leaving one worker unaccounted for. Authorities reported that twelve additional workers sustained injuries during the catastrophic landslide.
As search and rescue operations continue, officials emphasize that the teams, which include members from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and local police, are working with urgency to locate the missing individual.
Despite significant challenges from sludge blocking the tunnel, rescue teams are coordinating to navigate this difficult terrain. The teams are removing debris and utilizing suction pumps and other equipment to expedite the pumping out of water.
Chamoli District Information Officer Dheeraj Karki provided updates on the recovery efforts, stating that three of the five JCB machines trapped within the three-kilometre-long tunnel have been successfully retrieved. This progress facilitates ongoing search initiatives. Efforts are underway to extract the remaining two machines which are also obstructed by debris.
The local administration is committed to managing this crisis effectively and ensuring that all possible resources are dedicated to the ongoing search efforts. Workers from various agencies continue to collaborate to navigate through the hazardous conditions, reflecting their dedication and resilience in the face of adversity.
