Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Chamoli tunnel rescue operation continues amid search for missing workers
A tunnel is being built inside the mountains in Uttarakhand, India, for a water-power project.
One evening, water and rocks suddenly rushed into the tunnel.
Twenty-two workers were stuck inside.
Rescue teams worked through the night to save them.
They were able to pull out 19 workers from the tunnel.
Sadly, seven of those workers died, and 12 were hurt.
The rescue teams are still searching for three more workers who were inside.
So far they have found one body, and they are hoping to find the other two soon.
The water inside the tunnel has gone down a lot, which makes searching easier.
The rescuers are working very carefully because of the water and debris inside the tunnel.
Rescue teams have recovered one body so far and are still searching for two more workers in the Chamoli tunnel incident.
Water and debris entered a three-km tunnel under construction at a hydroelectric project site, trapping 22 workers.
Nineteen workers were pulled out during the relief and rescue operation; seven died and 12 were injured.
Chamoli ADM Vivek Prakash said the water level inside the tunnel has reduced considerably and pumping operations are continuing.
NDRF, SDRF and ITBP teams are involved, and the body of Jharkhand labourer Shivjay Hansda is being sent to his ancestral village.
- Who
- Chamoli ADM Vivek Prakash, rescue teams from NDRF, SDRF and ITBP, and the 22 workers trapped in the tunnel.
- What
- A search and rescue operation for workers trapped after water and debris entered a three-km tunnel under construction at a hydroelectric project site.
- When
- The incident occurred at around 7 pm on Thursday; the search operation continued through Saturday, August 15, 2026.
- Where
- Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India.
- Why
- Water and debris rushed into the tunnel under construction, trapping 22 workers inside.
- Location
- Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India
- Incident site
- Three-km tunnel under construction at a hydroelectric project
- Workers trapped
- 22
- Workers rescued
- 19
- Deaths
- 7
- Injured
- 12
- Workers still missing
- 3
- Rescue agencies
- NDRF, SDRF, ITBP