Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse: Multi-Agency Operation On To Rescue Around 40 Trapped Workers

A multi-agency operation is being carried out to rescue 40 workers trapped inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand since yesterday (12 November) morning.

A tunnel under construction on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway in the Uttarkashi district partially collapsed around 5 am yesterday, resulting in 40 workers being trapped within.

The rescue operations are being conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and the Uttarakhand police.

The 40 workers are all safe and are receiving oxygen via a pipe, NDTV reported citing a senior official.

The collapsed portion of the tunnel is located about 200 metres from the entrance and about 20 metres of the slab has been removed so far to open the tunnel.

The rescue team is employing excavators and various heavy-duty machinery to remove the debris.

This tunnel, intended to link Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi, is a part of the Char Dham Road Project. Its completion is expected to shorten the distance from Uttarkashi to Yamunotri Dham by 26 kilometres.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami yesterday said that he has been briefed about the rescue operation.

"I have been in contact with the officials from the time I got to know about the incident. NDRF and SDRF are at the spot. We pray to God for the safe return of everybody," he said.