Chamoli Tunnel Accident: The relief and rescue operation, which had been underway for several days following the tunnel accident in Pipalkoti, Chamoli district (Uttarakhand), has finally concluded. Rescue teams have recovered the body of the last missing worker trapped in the tunnel. With this, all the workers trapped in the tunnel have been brought out. Four workers from Chhattisgarh lost their lives in this tragic accident, while two others from the state were injured; both injured individuals are currently undergoing treatment.
Sudden Influx of Water and Heavy Debris into the Tunnel
On August 13, water and debris suddenly rushed into the under-construction tunnel, leaving the workers little time to react. Within a short span, water and debris accumulated inside the tunnel. Upon receiving news of the accident, the administration immediately launched a rescue operation. The initial challenge was removing the accumulated water and heavy debris, which made it difficult for rescue teams to access the interior. Teams began by draining the water and clearing the debris, utilizing large suction pumps and modern equipment.
Round-the-Clock Search and Rescue Operation
Rescue teams worked tirelessly, day and night, to retrieve the trapped workers. Search operations were conducted across various sections of the tunnel. Navigating through the water and debris with extreme caution, rescuers searched for the workers in likely locations. Officials from the district administration and relevant departments remained constantly present at the site. Continuous monitoring ensured that there were no further complications during the operation and that necessary resources were available on time.
Body of the Last Missing Worker Recovered
After a search operation spanning several days, rescue teams recovered the body of the final missing worker trapped in the tunnel. Following the recovery, the search operation inside the tunnel was concluded. The body has been sent to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar for a post-mortem examination and other necessary legal formalities. With this, the administration declared the rescue operation concluded.
Names of the deceased
Lokeshwar, son of Son Singh Poyam, Chhattisgarh
Bhuvneshwar, son of Surendra Kumar, Chhattisgarh
Chetan Poyam, son of Sondhar Poyam, Chhattisgarh
Devnath, son of Dhansuram Baghel, Chhattisgarh
Names of the injured
Sunil Diwan, son of Santosh Diwan, age 20 years, Chhattisgarh
Pen Singh, son of Pila Singh, age 33 years, Chhattisgarh
