New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tunnel collapse at a hydroelectric project site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district and prayed for the safe rescue of those still trapped.
The accident occurred after debris and water entered an under-construction tunnel of the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC)'s Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in the Pipalkoti area in Chamoli on Thursday, trapping 22 workers inside. According to the administration, seven people have died in the incident, while 19 of the 22 workers trapped inside the tunnel have been rescued. The injured workers are undergoing treatment at the District Hospital in Gopeshwar. The rescue operations to trace three missing people remained challenging on Friday as a large portion of the tunnel was inundated with water and sludge.
Read more: Chamoli devastation: 7 dead, 13 injured as water, debris enter hydro project tunnel
"Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives due to Tunnel collapse at a hydroelectric project site in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured and for the safe rescue of those who are still trapped," Rajnath Singh said in a post shared on X.
