Chamoli tunnel toll stands at 8; fate of 2 still unknown as rescue operation continues

Rescue workers recovered the body of an eighth worker from an inundated tunnel in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, on Saturday. The incident occurred earlier this week when a suspected aquifer burst pushed a rush of water and debris through the under-construction passage.

The search for two more workers missing since the accident continues, but officials involved in the rescue at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) tunnel report that precarious conditions are hampering efforts. Twenty-two workers were on shift when the accident happened around 7 p.m. on Thursday. Of them, eight have been declared dead, and 12 are in hospital with injuries.

Officials stated that work is underway to drain the inundated tunnel. Chamoli district magistrate Gaurav Kumar said suction pumps and other equipment are being used to help rescue personnel move inside the tunnel and reach areas where the missing workers might be trapped. Teams from the district administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are coordinating the operation. Additional resources are being deployed to speed up the rescue.

Preliminary assessments suggest a rain-saturated aquifer ruptured through the tunnel's roof. Rainwater from surrounding slopes likely percolated into a water-bearing layer and released under pressure through a weak rock section. The force of the water pushed some workers toward the tunnel mouth, while others were trapped by debris deeper inside.

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Suction pumps and other equipment are being used to facilitate the movement of rescue personnel inside the tunnel and help them reach areas where the missing workers may be trapped.