Seven workers were killed and 14 others injured after a landslide and water seepage struck an under-construction tunnel in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand late Wednesday night. The incident occurred during excavation work, when sudden inflow of debris and water trapped several labourers inside the tunnel.
Rescue teams from SDRF, police, and local administration rushed to the site and managed to pull out survivors after hours of challenging operations. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, while the bodies of the deceased were recovered from the debris. Officials confirmed that continuous seepage and unstable terrain complicated rescue efforts.
The tunnel, part of a major infrastructure project in Chamoli, has faced repeated geological challenges due to fragile Himalayan slopes. Authorities have ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident, focusing on safety protocols and engineering lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the deaths and announced ex gratia relief for the families of the victims. He also directed officials to ensure strict safety measures in all ongoing construction projects across the state.
The Chamoli tunnel disaster highlights the risks of large-scale infrastructure development in ecologically sensitive zones, raising urgent questions about worker safety and sustainable engineering practices in the Himalayan region.
