Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: All trapped workers safe, rescue efforts underway; CM Dhami visits site

All 40 workers trapped in Uttarkashi tunnel safe; rescue ops underway. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami onsite. Rescue teams from multiple agencies, incl. NDRF, SDRF, ITBP & BRO, working to stabilise debris & provide food & water. Centre & state working together to rescue workers.

All 40 workers trapped after an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Uttarkashi are safe and communication has been established with them, officials said on Monday as Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached the site to oversee rescue operations.

Rescuers who worked overnight trying to prepare an escape passage for the labourers have provided them with food and water, the Silkyara police control room said. The workers have been trapped for nearly 30 hours now.

A portion of the tunnel being built between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway caved in on Sunday morning.

According to a list of the trapped workers issued by the District Emergency Operation Centre, 15 are from Jharkhand, eight from Uttar Pradesh, five from Orissa, four from Bihar, three from West Bengal, two each from Uttarakhand and Assam and one from Himachal Pradesh.

Talking to reporters after inspecting the site, Mr. Dhami said all efforts were being made for the safe rescue of all those trapped in the debris.

"Safely rescuing the trapped workers is our priority. The rescue operation is being carried out expeditiously. I want to assure the families of the trapped labourers that they will be rescued soon," he said.

The Chief Minister said the Centre and his government were working together to rescue the trapped labourers.