Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Uttarakhand Chamoli Tunnel Collapse Death Toll Rises to 9
Workers were building a tunnel in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
On August 13, water and mud suddenly rushed inside the tunnel.
Some workers became trapped underground.
Sadly, nine workers have now been confirmed dead.
Rescue teams are still looking for one more missing worker.
The teams are removing mud, sludge and water to reach deeper parts of the tunnel.
Special rescue forces and local officials are helping in the search.
The state's chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, ordered an inquiry into the accident.
He said keeping workers safe must be the most important thing.
A Congress party leader said all building projects should be checked for safety.
The death toll in the THDC tunnel collapse at Pipalkoti, Uttarakhand rose to nine after the body of another missing worker was recovered.
The accident occurred on August 13 when a landslide-like event near the Birhi River triggered a surge of water and debris that trapped workers inside the under-construction tunnel.
Rescue teams continue searching for one remaining missing worker, removing sludge and debris and draining water from the tunnel.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry, saying worker safety must be the top priority.
Congress leader Harikrishna Bhatt called for safety audits of ongoing construction projects.
- Who
- Workers trapped in an under-construction THDC tunnel in Pipalkoti, Uttarakhand; rescue teams from the district administration, police, SDRF and NDRF are conducting the operation; Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered an inquiry.
- What
- A tunnel collapse caused by a landslide-like event that sent water and debris into the tunnel, trapping workers; the death toll has risen to nine and one worker remains missing.
- When
- The accident occurred on August 13; the death toll rose to nine on Tuesday.
- Where
- Hat-Siyasain, Mayapur, Pipalkoti in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, near the Birhi River.
- Why
- A landslide-like event near the Birhi River triggered a heavy surge of water and debris that trapped the workers inside the tunnel.
Congress
State Government
Response to the tunnel collapse
Congress
Congress leader Harikrishna Bhatt said safety audits of ongoing projects should be conducted, arguing they should have been done after water and debris entered the tunnel.
State Government
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry, saying it would establish the facts and determine precautions, and that worker safety must be the top priority at any cost.
- Location
- Hat-Siyasain, Mayapur, Pipalkoti, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
- Date of accident
- August 13
- Death toll
- 9 workers
- Missing
- 1 worker
- Structure
- Under-construction THDC tunnel
- Trigger
- Landslide-like event near Birhi River causing surge of water and debris
- Rescue teams
- District administration, police, SDRF, NDRF
- Inquiry
- Magisterial inquiry ordered by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami