PTC Web Desk: Seven workers have died after being trapped inside an under-construction tunnel of Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) at Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The workers were trapped after a large quantity of water and debris entered the tunnel.

A total of 19 persons were brought to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar following the incident. Doctors said seven of them were declared dead, while several others were admitted for treatment.

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Dr Aayush of the District Hospital said 19 persons were brought to the hospital from the THDC project site. Of those, seven were declared dead. Ten workers were admitted after being assessed by doctors, while one worker in an unstable condition was referred to the Base Hospital in Srinagar. The remaining rescued workers were reported to be in relatively stable condition.

Rescue operation underway

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are continuing efforts to reach workers who remain trapped inside the tunnel. NDRF team commander Amrit Lal Meena said rescuers encountered a large volume of water after reaching the tunnel. Water was also entering the tunnel from the sides, making the operation more difficult.

According to Meena, rescue personnel using specialised equipment had recovered four bodies from the water during the initial phase of the operation.

He said the rescue teams would continue working until all the trapped workers were located and brought out.

Around 20-22 workers were inside

THDC Executive Director (Projects) Kumar Sharad said around 20 to 22 workers were inside the tunnel when the incident took place.

Officials had initially reported that 18 workers had been rescued and shifted to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar for medical treatment. Three to four of the rescued workers were said to be in serious condition at the time.

NDRF and SDRF personnel were deployed at the site soon after the incident as rescue efforts began.

Water and debris entered tunnel

The accident occurred after water and debris entered the under-construction tunnel, trapping workers inside. The presence of a significant amount of water inside the tunnel has posed a major challenge for rescue teams. Personnel are using specialised equipment and working to clear the affected section while searching for those still trapped.

The rescue operation remains underway, with officials continuing to assess the situation at the THDC tunnel project in Pipalkoti.

- With inputs from agencies

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