Chamoli Tunnel Collapse: 7 Killed, 14 Injured; One Trapped in Uttarakhand

Seven workers were killed and 14 others injured after debris and water entered.

An under-construction hydroelectric tunnel at a THDC project in Mayapur (Pipalkoti) in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Thursday evening. One worker remains trapped inside, while 21 of the 22 workers present in the tunnel have been accounted for.

The incident occurred around 6:45 pm when a large volume of debris and water suddenly surged into the tunnel being constructed by HCC, trapping workers who were on duty.

Rescue operations began soon after the incident, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), police and other agencies deployed at the site.

Rescuers are continuing efforts to reach the worker still trapped inside. Heavy machinery is being used to remove debris and drain accumulated water, while SDRF personnel have also deployed improvised drum boats to access areas affected by the flooding.

Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the tunnel was being constructed as part of a THDC hydropower project. He said a sudden surge of debris and water entered the tunnel at around 6:30-6:45 pm, trapping workers from the shift on duty.

The injured workers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Officials said those with serious injuries would be shifted to higher medical centres, while others were being treated in Gopeshwar.

Earlier, Kumar said 16 workers had been safely rescued by 9 pm, while efforts were underway to evacuate those still inside. Authorities have since confirmed that seven workers died in the incident.

The rescue operation is being jointly carried out by the SDRF, NDRF, District Incident Response Force (DIRF), local police, CISF and other agencies. Personnel and machinery have been mobilised to clear the tunnel and reach the trapped worker.

CM MONITORS RESCUE OPERATION

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is personally monitoring the rescue operation and has directed officials to work on a war footing.

Dhami said NDRF and SDRF teams had been rushed to the site and instructed the district administration and other departments to coordinate closely to ensure the swift evacuation of those trapped.

“The government’s top priority is to ensure the safe evacuation of every person trapped inside the tunnel,” Dhami said, adding that all necessary resources had been deployed.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure there was no delay in the rescue effort and to provide all possible assistance to the injured workers and their families.

Dhami said he had spoken with the Chief Ministers of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh regarding the incident.

The cause of the sudden inflow of debris and water into the tunnel has not yet been ascertained. Rescue teams remain focused on reaching the worker still trapped inside.