At least 7 dead in Uttarakhand tunnel collapse, rescue efforts ongoing

A tunnel under construction at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district collapsed late Thursday night, killing at least seven workers and leaving three others missing. Officials confirmed that 12 of the 22 workers present at the site were rescued alive.

Sudden Flooding Hampers Rescue Operations

The collapse triggered a surge of water and debris into the tunnel, complicating rescue efforts. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and fire services have been working through rising water levels and unstable conditions to locate the missing workers.

“When our team reached the site and started the operation, there was a lot of water inside the tunnel, and water was also seeping from the sides. Since then, the water level has increased considerably,” said NDRF commander Amrit Lal Meena.

Construction Risks Highlighted

The incident underscores the risks associated with India’s infrastructure expansion, particularly in geologically fragile regions like Uttarakhand. Construction accidents remain frequent, often exacerbated by safety lapses, extreme weather, and challenging terrain.

State Response and Ongoing Search

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been monitoring the situation closely. Rescue teams are racing against time to locate the three missing workers amid rising water and debris inside the tunnel. The state’s disaster management agencies are expected to provide further updates as operations progress.

Source: South China Morning Post