# Chamoli tunnel accident: toll 8, two missing, search on

2026-08-16T06:04:23+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Eight workers have died and two remain missing after a landslide caused water and debris to flood an under-construction tunnel at THDC India's Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Chamoli, Uttarakhand on August 13. The search operation, involving NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, local police and other agencies, continues despite heavy sludge inside the tunnel. Chamoli District Information Officer Dheeraj Karki told PTI that three of five JCB machines trapped in the tunnel have been retrieved, speeding up the search for the missing workers, Lucas Topno from Jharkhand and Chetan Poyam from Chhattisgarh. The other two machines will be removed soon. Water is being pumped out continuously, and teams are searching using all available equipment. The Uttarakhand government announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each deceased worker's family. THDC officials demanded Rs 1 crore per family and free education for the children of deceased workers. The accident trapped 22 workers, 12 injured were rescued earlier.

## Coverage

- livemint.com <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/chamoli-tunnel-mishap-toll-touches-eight-two-still-missing-search-and-rescue-operation-continues-probe-ordered-11786852290621.html>
- deccanherald.com <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-tunnel-accident-search-continues-for-two-missing-workers-in-chamoli-4115007>
- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Aug/18/search-continues-for-two-workers-missing-after-chamoli-tunnel-accident>

This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources. Last updated 2026-08-18T07:02:23+00:00.

Tags: Chamoli, Madan Kaushik, NDRF, SDRF, THDC, Uttarakhand
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