Rescue teams on Saturday recovered the body of another worker from an under-construction THDC tunnel at Mayapur near Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, taking the death toll in the incident to eight. Two workers remain missing as rescue personnel continue intensive operations inside the tunnel to locate those still unaccounted for. Authorities are simultaneously working to remove accumulated water from the site, which has complicated access to the affected portions of the tunnel and slowed the search operation. The rescue operation has continued since the incident at the tunnel, with teams working to reach deeper sections of the under-construction structure.

The latest recovery has increased the number of confirmed fatalities to eight, while the search for the remaining two workers remains the immediate priority. Officials have not yet provided further details about the identity of the worker whose body was recovered on Saturday or the precise circumstances surrounding the incident.

Water accumulation inside the tunnel has emerged as one of the main challenges confronting the rescue teams. Efforts are therefore being made to drain the water while search personnel continue operations. Pumping out the water is expected to help improve visibility and access inside the tunnel, allowing rescuers to reach areas that may otherwise remain difficult or unsafe to approach.

Rescue teams are also working to clear and secure access routes inside the tunnel as part of the continuing operation. The under-construction nature of the site means personnel must proceed carefully while dealing with difficult conditions. Officials are coordinating the search and drainage efforts simultaneously, with the objective of reaching the remaining missing workers as quickly as possible while maintaining the safety of the rescue personnel. The recovery of the eighth victim underscores the seriousness of the incident and the difficult conditions faced by workers at the site.

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With two people still missing, the operation remains active and authorities are continuing to focus resources on the affected section of the tunnel. The search is being carried out through a combination of direct rescue efforts and measures intended to make the tunnel more accessible. The incident has prompted a sustained response at the Mayapur tunnel site, with rescue personnel working continuously to assess conditions and advance into the affected areas.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the search progresses and additional information becomes available about the workers who remain missing. For now, the priority remains locating the two unaccounted workers and completing the rescue operation.

The Chamoli district has previously witnessed major accidents and natural disasters because of its mountainous terrain and challenging working conditions. Construction of infrastructure in the region often involves tunnels and other large engineering projects in difficult geological settings. The latest incident has again highlighted the operational challenges involved in carrying out construction and rescue work in such environments.

As rescue efforts continue, teams remain engaged in both the search for the missing workers and the removal of water from inside the tunnel. The authorities have not indicated when the operation is expected to conclude. The recovery of another body on Saturday has increased the confirmed death toll to eight, while the fate and location of the two remaining workers are still unknown.

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