Chamoli Tunnel Accident: Rescue Operations Continue For Two Workers Still Missing
Rescue Teams Search For Two Missing Workers.
Search and rescue operations continued in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Tuesday for two workers who have remained missing since a tunnel accident on August 13. Rescue teams are working through a large amount of sludge inside the tunnel while simultaneously pumping out accumulated water. Officials said the challenging conditions have slowed the operation, but joint teams from several agencies have continued their efforts to locate the missing workers. According to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), personnel from the SDRF, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), local police and other agencies have been conducting search operations continuously since the accident.
Teams are coordinating their efforts inside the tunnel and using available equipment and resources to systematically search the affected areas. The operation remains focused on reaching locations where the two workers could potentially be trapped. The presence of a large quantity of sludge has emerged as one of the main challenges for rescuers. The material has made movement and searching inside the tunnel difficult, requiring teams to proceed carefully while assessing the conditions around them. Despite the obstacles, officials said rescue personnel have continued conducting thorough searches and are working in coordination to cover the accessible portions of the tunnel.
Water is also being pumped out continuously as part of the rescue effort. Removing the water is expected to help improve visibility and access for teams working inside the affected section. The pumping operation is being carried out alongside the search, allowing rescuers to continue their efforts while attempting to make conditions inside the tunnel safer and more manageable for personnel involved in the operation. The August 13 accident triggered a major emergency response in the Chamoli region. Six workers were reported dead and 14 others injured after water flooded the tunnel. The incident brought multiple disaster-response and security agencies into the rescue operation, with teams working to evacuate injured workers, recover bodies and locate those who remained unaccounted for.
Also Read: Chamoli Tunnel Rescue Recovers Another Body, Two Workers Remain Missing Today
The two workers who are still missing have remained the focus of the continuing operation. Rescue authorities have not announced a specific timeline for completing the search, as progress depends on the condition of the tunnel, the amount of sludge and water present and the ability of teams to safely reach different sections. Officials are continuing to evaluate the situation as the operation progresses. The involvement of multiple agencies has allowed the rescue effort to combine specialised equipment, personnel and operational expertise. SDRF and NDRF teams are working alongside ITBP personnel and local police, while other agencies are also contributing to the operation. The coordination is particularly important given the difficult conditions and the need to maintain safety for rescuers working inside the tunnel.
Authorities are continuing to use available resources to clear water and search through the affected area. The SDRF said teams remained committed to the operation despite the challenges posed by the sludge and other conditions inside the tunnel. The search will continue until the agencies are able to establish what happened to the two missing workers and determine their whereabouts. The accident has once again highlighted the risks faced by workers involved in tunnel and infrastructure projects in difficult terrain. For the families of the two missing workers, however, the immediate priority remains their recovery. Rescue teams are continuing to work inside the tunnel, with water being pumped out and systematic searches being carried out as authorities attempt to bring the operation to a conclusion.
Also Read: Chamoli Tunnel Rescue Recovers Another Body, Two Workers Remain Missing Today
