NEW DELHI: At least seven people have died after water and debris suddenly entered an under-construction tunnel in India’s northern Uttarakhand state, trapping more than 20 workers and prompting a major rescue operation.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening in Chamoli district, where the tunnel is being constructed as part of a hydropower project. The sudden ingress of water and debris trapped a number of workers inside the structure, according to officials.
A large-scale rescue and relief operation was launched soon after the incident was reported, with emergency teams working to locate and evacuate those still believed to be inside the tunnel.
District health official Dr Ayush told reporters early on Friday that seven people brought out of the tunnel were declared dead. Ten other workers who were rescued with injuries were taken to hospital for treatment.
Officials continued efforts to reach the remaining workers as rescue teams confronted difficult conditions inside the partially constructed tunnel.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Thursday night that the rescue operation was being conducted on a war footing to safely evacuate the workers who remained trapped.
The authorities have yet to provide a complete account of the circumstances that caused the sudden flow of water and debris into the tunnel or confirm the final number of workers who were inside when the incident occurred.
Rescue operations were continuing on Friday as teams worked to clear the affected section and establish contact with any workers who might still be trapped underground.
The accident has once again highlighted the risks associated with major infrastructure and hydropower construction projects in Uttarakhand, a mountainous state that has experienced several deadly incidents involving tunnels, landslides and flash floods in recent years.
