Dehradun: Seven workers were killed and 14 others injured after a landslide and heavy water seepage triggered a partial collapse inside an under-construction THDC tunnel at Mayapur near Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Thursday evening.
A large-scale multi-agency rescue operation was launched immediately. Senior officials are at the site and supervising the relief and rescue operation. HCC machinery and specialised equipment were also deployed to clear debris and assist the rescue teams. NDRF and SDRF teams, along with all our machinery, are currently engaged in operations for the remaining individuals, and we are hopeful that we will be able to rescue everyone within the next few hours.”
The incident occurred around 7 pm inside a tunnel of the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC)-owned Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, where construction work was being carried out by HCC, according to officials. 22 workers were trapped inside the tunnel following the sudden landslide and water seepage, according to State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) officials. By 11 pm, 21 workers were evacuated from the tunnel. Seven of them were declared dead, while 14 others were injured and shifted for medical treatment, officials said. The rescue operation is being undertaken by 57 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 42 from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), 21 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 22 from local police stations and outposts, nine fire service personnel and four personnel from the District Disaster Response Force (DDRF). Earlier reporting noted: As many as 18 workers have been rescued so far, while a search and rescue operation is underway for the remaining workers. About 14 or 15 people have already been rescued.
Officials said the rescue and relief operation was continuing and the administration was monitoring the situation closely. Earlier reporting noted: Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the incident occurred when a large volume of debris and water suddenly surged into the tunnel while workers from the shift on duty were inside.
Earlier reporting noted: “Workers from the shift on duty got trapped inside.
