Rescuers dig to reach 40 workers trapped in collapsed road tunnel in north India

Rescue operations are underway to liberate 40 workers who find themselves entrapped within the confines of a collapsed road tunnel in northern India. This unfortunate incident transpired as a consequence of a landslide at the construction site located in the state of Uttarakhand.

Remarkably, all the construction personnel have been successfully accounted for and are presently safe. Police officer Prashant Kumar has assured that these workers have been equipped with a supply of both oxygen and water. Moreover, he affirmed that communication has been established with the stranded individuals.

The catastrophic event unfolded on a fateful Sunday in Uttarakhand, a region renowned for its picturesque mountains and revered Hindu temples, which serve as a magnet for pilgrims and tourists alike. Recent years have witnessed a substantial surge in construction activities, encompassing both buildings and road networks, across Uttarakhand. The laborers who now find themselves in this dire predicament were engaged in the construction of a crucial segment of the Chardham all-weather road project—a significant initiative undertaken by the federal government to connect various Hindu pilgrimage destinations.

Confirmation of the exact number of trapped workers came to light on Monday, courtesy of Rajesh Pawar, the project manager at the Navyug Construction Company, entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the tunnel’s construction.

Rescue endeavors commenced promptly following the incident, with authorities swiftly deploying an oxygen supply system to facilitate breathing for the affected workers. As of the latest update, the rescue team has made significant progress, having advanced 15 meters into the tunnel, with a remaining distance of 35 meters yet to be covered. This intensive effort has involved the diligent deployment of drilling equipment and excavators to painstakingly clear debris throughout the night.

The portion of the tunnel that succumbed to collapse is located approximately 200 meters from its entrance, as confirmed by officials who shared this information with the Press Trust of India news agency.

It’s worth noting that Uttarakhand witnessed another unsettling event in January, when state authorities relocated hundreds of residents to temporary shelters due to the collapse of a temple and the appearance of cracks in over 600 houses, owing to land subsidence in and around the town of Joshimath in the region.

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More about Rescue Operation

• BBC News: Rescuers dig to reach 40 workers trapped in collapsed road tunnel in north India
• Reuters: Landslide traps 40 workers in Indian tunnel, rescue operation under way
• The New York Times: Landslide Traps 40 Workers in Tunnel in Northern India
• Press Trust of India: 40 Trapped in Collapsed Tunnel in Uttarakhand; Rescue Ops Underway