GOPESHWAR/DEHRADUN: In a heart-wrenching update from the Chamoli tunnel accident, officials confirmed that the body of one of the two workers missing since the tragic incident was located on Tuesday. This grim discovery raises the confirmed death toll to nine, as search operations continue for the last remaining missing worker.
Chamoli District Disaster Management Officer NK Joshi reported that the body was recovered during ongoing search efforts initiated after the devastating tunnel collapse on August 13. The body has been sent to Gopeshwar District Hospital for identification, while officials work swiftly to provide closure to grieving families.
A deadly landslide that struck the tunnel filled it with debris and water, claiming the lives of several workers and injuring twelve others. As the search operation unfolds, one worker still remains unaccounted for, prompting ongoing rescue efforts.
Authorities have mobilized a comprehensive rescue and relief mission, executing operations on a war footing. A coordinated team comprising the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), local police, and other emergency services is tirelessly conducting the search for the missing worker.
Despite the challenging conditions presented by significant sludge obstructing the tunnel, the search teams persist. Officials emphasized that their focus remains on coordinating effective plans to navigate through the hazardous environment. The accumulation of sludge poses a significant obstacle, further complicating rescue efforts.
To expedite the search, rescue teams are utilizing suction pumps and advanced equipment to remove accumulated debris and pump out water rapidly from the tunnel. This coordinated action aims to clear a pathway to locate the missing worker and ensure safety for ongoing operations.
Chamoli District Information Officer Dheeraj Karki informed PTI that progress is being made on site, revealing that three of the five JCB machines trapped within the three-kilometre-long tunnel have been successfully retrieved. This development has increased the pace of the search for the missing workers. Efforts to extract the remaining two machines from the debris continue as hopes for locating the missing worker remain high.
