Seven killed in tunnel accident at Indian hydropower project

What the report says

At least seven workers were killed and 13 others were injured after a tunnel accident at a state-run hydropower project in Uttarakhand, in northern India, Al Jazeera reported, citing local officials. The incident happened late on Thursday when water and debris surged into the under-construction tunnel after a landslide, trapping workers inside. State Disaster Management authorities said three workers were still missing.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said rescue crews were carrying out what he described as a “war-like” operation to reach those still trapped. Amrit Lal Meena, who leads a National Disaster Response Force team, said responders found substantial water inside the tunnel and that the level had risen further during the operation. Local authorities also shared video showing rescue workers using torches and makeshift rafts to access the flooded area.

The accident comes as Uttarakhand has been hit by heavy monsoon rains, which have increased the risk of landslides and flooding in the Himalayan state. More broadly, India has seen repeated disasters at large infrastructure sites, especially in environmentally fragile mountain regions. Al Jazeera noted that similar tunnel and construction accidents have caused major losses in recent years, underscoring continuing concerns about safety, planning and the impact of development in disaster-prone areas.