Uttarakhand: 57 Workers Trapped In Avalanche, 16 Rescued, So Far

Uttarakhand: Fifty-seven labourers from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were trapped under an avalanche near the border village of Mana in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on Friday, according to a report in PTI.

Police Headquarters spokesperson IG Nilesh Anand Bharne tells ANI, "A massive avalanche has occurred near the Border Roads Organisation camp in the border area of ​​Mana in which 57 workers engaged in road construction have been trapped."

The avalanche struck at around 07:15 am at a BRO camp, located between Mana and Badrinath, burying 57 workers inside eight containers and one shed.

The Indian Army's swift response teams, comprising more than 100 personnel from the Ibex Brigade, were immediately mobilised, comprising doctors, ambulances, and plant equipment. As per ANI, By 11:50 am, the teams had located five containers and successfully rescued 10 individuals, all alive. Of the 10 rescued, four personnel are reported to be in critical condition.

However, heavy snowfall continues in the region, and GREF is working on clearing the road between Joshimath and Mana. Additional medical resources from Joshimath are being mobilised to Mana to assist with the rescue and medical aid.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that 16 workers were rescued out of 57. He added, "All preparations have been made. We are taking help from the ITBP. The district administration and all others are in touch, and we are trying to rescue all as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, BRO (Border Roads Organisation) Executive Engineer CR Meena said that three to four ambulances have also been sent, but due to heavy snowfall, the rescue team is facing difficulties in reaching there.

Responding to the incident, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a post on X, said, "An unfortunate avalanche has occurred in the Mana area of Joshimath (Uttarakhand) today impacting the GREF camp of BRO. Spoke to CM Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the situation. The administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected Rescue efforts by local Army units are also underway. All efforts to rescue the trapped personnel are being undertaken by utilising all available resources."