CHAMOLI: Seven workers have been confirmed dead in the tragic accident that occurred in an under-construction tunnel at Mayapur in the Pipalkoti area of Chamoli, while 12 workers have been injured. Three workers who were trapped inside the tunnel after the incident are still missing, and search and rescue operations are continuing to locate them.
At the time of the accident, a total of 28 workers were working inside the tunnel. There was panic when debris and water suddenly gushed into the tunnel. During this, 6 workers managed to get out safely, while several others got trapped inside.
So far, 7 bodies have been pulled out of the tunnel during the rescue operation. There is still no trace of 3 workers. Teams from SDRF, NDRF, police and other rescue agencies are carrying out a continuous operation inside the tunnel to find them.
Of the 12 injured workers, one is undergoing treatment at Vivekananda Hospital in Pipalkoti, while 11 have been admitted to Gopeshwar Hospital. The condition of one worker is said to be serious, and he has been referred to a higher center for better treatment.
Under the supervision of the administration, rescue teams are making continuous efforts to reach the missing workers inside the tunnel. The search for the three missing workers and the rescue operation are currently being carried out on a war footing.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand chief minister who has reached Pipalkoti to review the situation himself has posted on X :
Today, I conducted a field inspection of the ongoing relief and rescue operations in the disaster-affected tunnel area in Pipalkoti, Chamoli. Several workers trapped in the tunnel were safely evacuated yesterday. Rescue operations are continuing on a war footing to safely evacuate the remaining trapped workers. While reviewing the progress and challenges of the operation on the spot, I instructed officials to ensure that there are no shortcomings in the rescue work at any level and that all available resources are utilized to their full potential said the CM.
