GOPESHWAR (UTTARAKHAND), Aug 14: Seven workers were killed after water and debris gushed into an under-construction tunnel at a hydroelectric project site in Chamoli district, officials said on Friday. Three others remain missing, with rescue teams continuing search operations.
The incident occurred on Thursday at Mayapur in the Pipalkoti area after landslides and ground subsidence caused debris and water to enter the tunnel, trapping workers inside.
District Disaster Management Officer N K Joshi said 22 people were inside the tunnel when the incident occurred. Nineteen workers were rescued overnight, while seven subsequently died. Efforts are underway to locate the three missing workers.
The deceased have been identified as Pradeep Singh Pawar of Tehri, Mukesh of Chamoli, Durlabh Sharma of Bihar, Vijay and Jitendra Kumar of Jharkhand, and Lokeshwar and Bhuneshwar, whose native places are yet to be ascertained.
The injured workers were shifted to Gopeshwar District Hospital for treatment.
Six rescue personnel have entered the tunnel, which remains partially filled with water. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and police are jointly conducting the rescue operation.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Pipalkoti by helicopter to take stock of the rescue efforts.
District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar, who was present at the site, directed officials to mobilise all available resources to trace and rescue the missing workers.
