Chamoli Tunnel Tragedy: 7 Workers Dead, 14 Injured as Water and Debris Flood Tunnel

At least seven workers died and 14 others suffered injuries after debris entered tunnel suddenly Thursday evening. Officials said rescuers trapped 22 workers inside the under construction hydroelectric project tunnel Thursday evening.

Rescue teams brought 21 workers outside, while authorities searched for the remaining trapped workers immediately. Officials initially reported 16 successful rescues as teams struggled through dangerous conditions underground overnight Thursday. Water and debris suddenly entered the tunnel around 7:05 p.m., officials said Thursday night. The incident occurred near Pipalkoti in Chamoli district, where THDC operates the project there currently. Rescuers immediately launched operations after receiving information about workers trapped inside the tunnel there. Indian Army personnel joined ITBP, NDRF and SDRF teams during the rescue operation overnight.

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Heavy Rain Complicates Rescue Operations as Teams Search for Trapped Workers

District rescue teams, local police and CISF personnel also assisted the emergency response efforts. Rescuers faced difficult conditions because water and debris blocked access inside the tunnel completely. Officials rushed injured workers to nearby hospitals for immediate medical care and treatment there. Authorities continued searching for workers whose whereabouts remained unclear after initial evacuations and searches continued.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to accelerate rescue efforts immediately after midnight. Dhami instructed authorities to conduct the operation on a war footing immediately overnight. He said the government would prioritize rescuing every worker trapped inside the tunnel safely. Heavy rainfall across Chamoli district created additional challenges for rescue teams and officials alike. The district has experienced intense rain during several days, raising water levels significantly downstream. On August 10, rising river waters swept away a bridge in Niti Valley region. A video showed muddy water surging downstream and striking the bridge with great force. The powerful current uprooted the structure and pushed it toward the riverbank nearby forcefully.

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