A road tunnel being constructed in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand collapsed on Sunday, leaving at least 40 construction workers trapped beneath a heap of debris.
The collapse took place early in the morning in the Himalayan region, specifically between Silkyara and Dandalgaon, as workers were in the process of transitioning shifts.
The tunnel, a crucial link between the holy Hindu shrines of Uttarkashi and Yamnotri, has become a site of despair as rescue teams work tirelessly to reach those trapped inside.
Government-released photographs depict a grim scene of massive concrete piles obstructing the once-wide tunnel, with twisted metal bars from its shattered roof protruding through the wreckage.
Durgesh Rathodi, a state disaster response official, provided insight into the dire situation while talking the foreign media, stating, “About 200 meters of the tunnel have collapsed. Approximately 40 to 41 workers are trapped inside. Oxygen is being supplied through the debris, but the rescue efforts are hampered by ongoing rubble falling as teams try to clear the obstruction.”
The Uttarakhand chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, expressed his concern on the social media platform X, writing, “Pray to God that those workers trapped inside the tunnel are brought out safely.”
The plea reflects the anxiety and urgency surrounding the ongoing rescue mission.
This unfortunate incident sheds light on the persistent safety challenges faced by construction workers in India. Accidents on large infrastructure construction sites are regrettably common, emphasizing the need for stringent safety measures and thorough inspections.
Earlier this year, in a related context, authorities evacuated hundreds of people from their homes in Joshimath town, also located in Uttarakhand state, due to concerns about structural integrity after buildings in the area developed cracks.
The incident underscores the broader safety issues within the construction sector in the region.
