pipalkoti-tunnel-death-toll-rises-to-9-rescue-operation-on

The death toll in the THDC tunnel collapse at Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand rose to nine on Tuesday after rescuers recovered the body of another missing worker. Teams continued their search for one worker who is still unaccounted for, officials said.

 

Chamoli District Magistrate said the body of another missing worker was recovered from the tunnel on Tuesday. The search for the last missing worker is continuing on a priority basis.

 

The accident took place on August 13 at the under-construction THDC tunnel in Hat-Siyasain, Mayapur, Pipalkoti. A sudden flow of water and debris, triggered by a landslide-like incident near the Birhi River, trapped several workers inside.

 

Rescue teams are searching different sections of the tunnel where the missing worker could be located. Workers are clearing the mud and debris from inside, while pumps are being used to remove the accumulated water and help rescuers move further into the tunnel.

 

The rescue effort involves teams from the district administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other departments.

 

Officials are closely monitoring the operation and providing the teams with the equipment and resources needed to speed up the search. Rescuers are checking every possible location inside the tunnel and continuing their efforts to locate and reach the remaining worker.

Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. He said the safety of workers involved in construction projects must remain the "top priority at any cost".

Dhami said the inquiry would look into the circumstances that led to the accident and suggest measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, Congress leader Harikrishna Bhatt called for safety audits of all ongoing projects. He said such checks should have been carried out after water and debris first entered the tunnel.

Reacting to the Rs 4 lakh compensation announced for the victims, Bhatt said the value of a human life cannot be reduced to Rs 4 lakh. He also called for safety audits of all similar construction projects.