The Chamoli tunnel accident has triggered a major rescue effort after water and debris entered an under-construction hydropower tunnel, leaving seven workers dead and three missing.

Rescue operations continued in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, on Friday after a sudden surge of water and debris flooded an under-construction tunnel at a hydropower project, trapping workers inside. Seven workers have died and three remain missing, according to officials and reports from the site.

The accident occurred on Thursday evening at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in the Mayapur-Pipalkoti area. Emergency teams immediately began clearing debris and searching for workers who could still be trapped inside.

Water And Debris Flood Tunnel

Officials said a large quantity of water and debris suddenly entered the tunnel following landslide-related activity. The rapid inflow left workers with very little time to escape.

The incident affected workers engaged in construction inside the project tunnel. Rising water and unstable conditions have made the rescue operation particularly difficult, with teams required to work carefully while removing accumulated debris.

Seven Workers Confirmed Dead

Of the workers caught in the incident, several were rescued during overnight operations. Reports said 19 workers were brought out, including seven who were later declared dead, while three others remained unaccounted for.

Rescued workers were taken for medical attention after suffering injuries during the incident. Authorities have continued to monitor the health of those brought out from the tunnel.

NDRF And SDRF Deployed

Multiple agencies are involved in the operation, including the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and local emergency services. Their teams are working together to reach the areas where the missing workers are believed to be located.

The difficult terrain and unstable conditions inside the tunnel have slowed the operation. Rescue personnel have been clearing debris while assessing the safest route to reach the missing workers.

CM Monitors Rescue Operation

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the area and monitored the rescue operation. Officials have been coordinating the response from the site as agencies continue their search for the missing workers.

The state government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances that led to the sudden inflow of water and debris and determine whether additional safety measures are required.

Himalayan Terrain Raises Risks

The accident has again drawn attention to the risks involved in large infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand's mountainous terrain. The region is vulnerable to landslides, heavy rainfall and other geological hazards, creating additional challenges for tunnel construction and emergency response.

A similar tunnel accident in Uttarakhand in 2023 had trapped 41 workers for 17 days before rescuers brought them out safely.

Search For Missing Workers

Rescue personnel are continuing to search for the three missing workers while removing water and debris from the affected section. Authorities have not indicated a final timeline for completing the operation, as conditions inside the tunnel remain difficult.

The immediate priority remains locating the missing workers and ensuring the safety of rescue personnel. The Chamoli tunnel accident has also prompted renewed scrutiny of safety arrangements at construction sites operating in Uttarakhand's fragile Himalayan environment.