THDC Tunnel Rescue Operation Concludes, All Affected Workers Evacuated

12 Workers Rescued Alive During Over 117-Hour Operation; 10 Workers Tragically Lost Their Lives

Chamoli: The search and rescue operation launched following the tunnel accident at the under-construction THDC tunnel in Hat-Siyasen, Mayapur (Pipalkoti), Chamoli, was successfully concluded on Tuesday under the supervision of the district administration. All workers who were trapped or reported missing inside the tunnel have now been brought out.

The challenging rescue operation, which continued for more than 117 hours, resulted in 12 workers being rescued alive, while 10 workers tragically lost their lives. With all affected workers accounted for and brought out of the tunnel, the search and rescue operation has now been formally concluded.

The accident occurred on the evening of August 13, 2026, when water suddenly entered the under-construction tunnel, accompanied by a landslide. At the time of the incident, work inside the tunnel was being carried out by HCC company. Initially, information was received that around 22 workers were trapped inside the tunnel.

Immediately after receiving the information, teams from the district administration, police, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, Army, DDRF, CISF, THDC and other concerned agencies reached the site and launched a large-scale search and rescue operation.

During the operation, rescue teams worked continuously to drain accumulated water, clear debris, remove trapped machinery and conduct intensive searches at all possible locations inside the tunnel.

The difficult conditions inside the tunnel posed significant challenges to the rescue teams. Suction pumps and other essential equipment were deployed to remove water and facilitate access to deeper sections of the tunnel.

Despite the difficult terrain and challenging working conditions, rescue personnel continued operations around the clock, making effective use of modern equipment and available resources.

District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar continuously monitored the entire rescue operation. He regularly obtained updates from officials and rescue agencies at the site and ensured effective coordination among all teams involved in the operation.

The district administration’s top priority throughout the operation remained the safe evacuation of trapped and missing workers. Rescue teams worked continuously, day and night, despite the difficult circumstances.

The injured and rescued workers were provided immediate medical assistance. The district administration also continuously monitored their health and ensured that necessary facilities and support were made available to them.

According to District Disaster Management Officer Nand Kishore Joshi, a total of 12 workers were rescued alive during the operation, while the bodies of 10 workers were recovered.

Details of 12 Rescued Workers

1. Sunil Diwan, son of Santosh Diwan, resident of Chhattisgarh.
2. Harbil Gudiya, son of Rejan Gudiya, resident of Tapra.
3. Kamda, resident of Jharkhand.
4. Nistar Bhingra, son of Rafael Bhingra, resident of Jharkhand.
5. Vinod Ravana, son of Tunia Ravana, resident of Jharkhand.
6. Dina Begra, son of Kela Begra, resident of Jharkhand.
7. Khela Ram Bisra, son of Monasa Bisra, resident of Jharkhand.
8. Subeg Singh, son of Veera Singh, resident of Punjab.
9. Tilak Raj, son of Buddhi Ram, resident of Himachal Pradesh.
10. Pen Singh, son of Peela Singh, resident of Chhattisgarh.
11. Rohit Pandey, son of Avadhesh Pandey, resident of Bihar.
12. Govindo Mandal, son of Parikshit Mandal, resident of West Bengal.

Details of the Deceased Workers

1. Pradeep Panwar, son of Avtar Singh, resident of Tehri Garhwal.
2. Jitendra Kumar, son of Ram Chandra, resident of Uttar Pradesh.
3. Mukesh Singh, son of Prem Singh, resident of Chamoli.
4. Durlabh Sharma, son of Bhawani Ram Sharma, resident of Uttar Pradesh.
5. Vijay Hansda, son of Ram Chandra, resident of Uttar Pradesh.
6. Lokeshwar, son of Son Singh Poyam, resident of Chhattisgarh.
7. Bhuneshwar, son of Surendra Kumar, resident of Chhattisgarh.
8. Devnath, son of Dhansuram Baghel, resident of Chhattisgarh. (August 15, 2026)
9. Lukas Topno, son of Baasasa Topno, resident of Jharkhand. (August 18, 2026)
10. Chetan Poyam, son of Sondhar Poyam, resident of Chhattisgarh. (August 18, 2026)

Two More Workers Recovered During Final Phase

During the initial phase of the rescue operation, 19 workers were brought out of the tunnel, including 12 injured workers and seven deceased workers. Search and rescue operations continued thereafter to locate the remaining missing workers.

In the final phase of the operation, two more workers were recovered on August 18. They were identified as Lukas Topno and Chetan Poyam.

With their recovery, all workers affected by the tunnel accident were accounted for and brought out, bringing the more than 117-hour-long search and rescue operation to a successful conclusion.

Multiple Agencies Worked in Coordination

Teams from ITBP Joshimath, ITBP Gauchar, the Army at Joshimath, NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, CISF, police, district administration and THDC, along with other concerned agencies, played a crucial role in the rescue operation.