A few dozen rescuers from multiple agencies continued to make frantic efforts Monday to pull out dozens of workers trapped inside an Uttarkashi tunnel that has partially collapsed. A staggering 40 men were working in the under-construction tunnel — between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway — when the passageway leading to the entrance gave way between 4 and 6 am Sunday, November 12, Diwali Day. First reports claimed that, at least 36 workers were trapped after a portion of an under-construction tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway in Uttarakhand collapsed in the early hours of Sunday. The incident took place at around 4 am between Silkyara and Dandalgaon villages in the state’s Uttarkashi district, PTI reported.
The National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, the police and the fire brigade were the ones conducting rescue operations. “As per the records [of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation], 36 workers are trapped inside,” Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Arpan Yaduvanshi told reporters. “Rescue operations are under way on war-footing. We will rescue all of them safely.”
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Meanwhile, 35 workers trapped in NTPC power project tunnel in Uttarakhand disaster – five days later, hopes of their survival are fading https://t.co/TZ7PWjRxcM
— Supriya Sharma (@sharmasupriya) February 12, 2021
The workers were reportedly trapped behind a pile of rubble, but authorities have managed to establish contact. An oxygen pipe has been inserted into the collapsed part of the tunnel, so that they have no problems breathing, Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police (SP) Arpan Yaduvanshi said. Water and food are also being supplied through the debris. Close to 160 rescuers from the national and state disaster response forces were trying to reach the workers by excavating the debris from the dark tunnel, videos and photographs of the operation showed.
The rescuers have removed about 20 metres of the debris, and there was another 40 metres to go, Uttarkashi Circle Officer Anuj Kumar has said, expecting the debris to be cleared up in another day or so. This tunnel is a part of the Centre’s ambitious Himalayan Char Dham road project, which aims to strengthen connectivity in Uttarakhand and provide better access to important pilgrimage spots. The highway infrastructure is expected to be around 825 kilometres long.
Tunnel accident in #Uttarkashi, #Uttarakhand | Yesterday, a total of 40 workers were reported trapped in the tunnel due to sudden collapse, including some workers from #Jharkhand. A three-member delegation of the state government is being sent to #Uttarakhand to help the… pic.twitter.com/PQpgCQioSq
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) November 13, 2023
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the site of the tragedy, Monday morning, having previously urged rescuers to expedite the operation. He said the work was progressing with much speed and that the trapped men had been fed.
“The men are fine. We are collaborating with experts on the rescue. The prime minister, the home minister and the railway minister are in touch. We briefed the prime minister in detail. We assure the men’s families that they will be brought out soon,” Dhami told reporters. The chief minister also said an investigation into the debacle was ongoing but the priority now was to rescue the workers.
Jhakrkand chief minister, Hemant Soren tweeted about the tragedy as did Orissa chief minister, Naveen Patnaik.
Tunnel accident in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand | Yesterday, a total of 40 workers were reported trapped in the tunnel due to sudden collapse, including some workers from Jharkhand. A three-member delegation of the state government is being sent to Uttarakhand to help the labourers of… pic.twitter.com/k22iybaSUF
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2023
Deeply concerned to know that several workers including workers from #Odisha have been trapped following collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi, #Uttarakhand. Praying for the safe and speedy rescue of all the workers.
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 13, 2023
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