Rescuers are scrambling to reach up to 40 workers who are trapped in a tunnel collapse in the Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The collapse occurred on Sunday morning, August 13, 2023, at around 10:30 AM.
The tunnel is part of a road project that is being constructed to connect the towns of Rishikesh and Badrinath. The tunnel is approximately 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) long and is located at an altitude of 2,800 meters (9,200 feet).
At the time of the collapse, there were approximately 100 workers working in the tunnel. About 60 workers were able to escape safely, but up to 40 workers are believed to be trapped inside.
Rescuers are using heavy machinery to clear the debris from the collapsed tunnel. However, the rescue effort is being hampered by the remote location of the tunnel and the difficult terrain.
The Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to assist with the rescue effort. The Indian Air Force is also providing support by airlifting heavy machinery and supplies to the rescue site.
The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has visited the rescue site and has assured the families of the trapped workers that all possible efforts are being made to rescue them.
The cause of the tunnel collapse is still under investigation. However, preliminary reports suggest that the collapse may have been caused by a landslide.
The tunnel collapse is a major setback for the road project. The project is already running behind schedule and the collapse is likely to delay the completion of the project even further.
The tunnel collapse is also a tragedy for the families of the trapped workers. The workers are mostly from poor families and they were working on the project to earn a living.
The rescue effort is ongoing and it is hoped that the trapped workers will be rescued soon.