40 Workers Trapped as Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapses in Dramatic Landslide
A tense rescue mission is underway after a huge landslide smashed part of a road tunnel in Uttarakhand, trapping 40 construction workers deep underground. The dramatic incident hit on Sunday at the Chardham all-weather road project, a vital federal scheme connecting sacred Hindu sites.
Hope as Rescuers Make Contact and Deliver Essentials
Overnight police confirmed all trapped workers are safe. They’ve been supplied with oxygen and water while rescue teams carefully clear debris. Officer Prashant Kumar revealed rescuers reached those inside, shining a ray of hope on the grim scenario.
Massive Rescue Operation Battles Against Time and Terrain
- The tunnel collapse lies about 200 metres from the entrance of the 3-mile tunnel.
- Rescuers have pushed 15 metres into the wreckage, with 35 metres left to go.
- More than 150 personnel wielding drills and excavators have worked through the night to break through the rubble.
- Oxygen is being pumped through pipes into the cramped space to keep workers breathing.
Dangerous Terrain Puts Spotlight on Uttarakhand’s Ongoing Land Struggles
Uttarakhand has seen major construction booms recently, boosting the local economy but raising safety alarms. The landslide echoes January’s chaos when hundreds were evacuated after a temple collapse and cracks appeared in over 600 homes around Joshimath, a sign of sinking land.
Authorities remain on high alert as this daring rescue operation races against the clock to save trapped workers, highlighting the risks lurking beneath Uttarakhand’s scenic mountains.
