Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse Death Count Rises To 8, Two Missing
A tunnel that was still being built in Uttarakhand, India, collapsed after a sudden rush of mud, rocks, and water.
The water came from near the Birhi River and trapped 22 workers who were inside.
Sadly, rescue teams have found 8 bodies so far, and they are still looking for the rest.
Many rescue teams, including the NDRF, SDRF, and the Army, are helping with the search.
The tunnel is full of water and mud, which makes their work very hard.
They brought big pumps from NTPC and THDC to drain the water out.
Bad weather is also making the rescue more difficult.
Officials found one body on Saturday and sent it to the hospital by ambulance.
The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand has ordered an investigation to find out exactly what happened.
He said that the safety of workers on construction projects must always be the top priority.
The death toll in the Pipalkoti tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district rose to eight on Saturday after one more body was recovered.
Rescue teams are searching for two more workers trapped inside the under-construction THDC tunnel, though Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami mentioned three individuals still awaiting rescue.
The incident occurred after a landslide-like event near the Birhi River sent a heavy surge of water and debris into the tunnel, trapping 22 workers on duty.
Rescue operations involve the NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, ITBP, Army and paramilitary forces, with pumps from NTPC and THDC used to drain floodwater from the tunnel.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry and said the safety of personnel on construction projects must be the top priority 'at any cost.'
- Who
- 22 construction workers were trapped; rescue efforts are led by the NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, ITBP, Army and paramilitary forces, with updates from Chamoli ADM Vivek Prakash and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
- What
- An under-construction THDC tunnel collapsed after a sudden surge of water and debris, with the death count rising to eight and search operations continuing for missing workers.
- When
- The update came on Saturday; rescue teams have been engaged since the evening two days before the update.
- Where
- Pipalkoti, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India, near the Birhi River.
- Why
- A landslide-like event near the Birhi River sent a heavy surge of water and debris into the tunnel, trapping workers who were on duty.
- Death toll
- 8
- Workers trapped initially
- 22
- Location
- Pipalkoti, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
- Tunnel
- Under-construction THDC tunnel, near Birhi River
- Missing workers (ADM statement)
- 2
- Missing workers (Chief Minister statement)
- 3
- Reported cause
- Landslide-like surge of water and debris
- Inquiry
- Magisterial inquiry ordered by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami