GOPESHWAR/DEHRADUN: The search for missing workers after the tragic tunnel accident in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, has led to the discovery of another body, bringing the death toll to nine. This grim update follows the incident on August 13, where workers were trapped due to a landslide.
Chamoli District Disaster Management Officer NK Joshi confirmed that the body was located during ongoing operations, and authorities have sent it to Gopeshwar District Hospital for identification. Rescue teams continue to search for one remaining missing worker while also tending to twelve others who sustained injuries during the landslide.
The tragic accident occurred when a landslide filled the tunnel with debris and water, creating immediate hazards for the workers. Authorities have made rescuing the missing individual a priority, deploying a joint team comprised of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), local police, and various agencies to spearhead the operation.
Rescue teams encounter significant challenges due to the presence of thick sludge inside the tunnel, which complicates search efforts. Officials remarked that the ongoing operation is strenuous but essential, as they coordinate to navigate through the adverse conditions to locate the missing worker.
Officials are actively removing debris and sludge while implementing strategies to pump out excess water using suction pumps and other advanced equipment. This effort aims to clear pathways effectively and facilitate rescue operations.
Chamoli District Information Officer Dheeraj Karki elaborated that out of the five JCB machines that were buried in the accident, three have been successfully retrieved. This advancement significantly boosts their ability to expedite the search for the trapped workers. Karki reassured that efforts are underway to recover the remaining two machines still ensnared in debris.
As the retrieval operations continue, officials emphasize the need for all rescue efforts to maintain safety amid hazardous conditions. The tragic event has drawn attention to the critical need for stringent safety protocols at construction sites to prevent such disasters in the future.
