14 More BRO Workers Rescued in Uttarakhand Avalanche, 8 Still Trapped
The avalanche struck early Friday morning, trapping 55 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers under heavy snow.
Chamoli, Uttarakhand Avalanche Rescue Operation Latest News: Search and rescue teams have successfully rescued 14 more labourers trapped under an avalanche in the high-altitude Mana village of Chamoli district, bringing the total number of rescued workers to 47. However, eight individuals remain trapped, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The avalanche struck early Friday morning, trapping 55 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers under heavy snow. By Friday night, 33 workers were rescued, and an additional 14 were brought to safety on Saturday morning.
Revised Estimates of Trapped Workers
Initially, it was feared that 57 workers were trapped. However, Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman later clarified that two workers were on leave, reducing the total number of trapped individuals to 55.
The trapped workers hail from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir, among other states. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority released a list of affected individuals, though 10 names remain unidentified.
Rescue Challenges and Harsh Conditions
Rescue teams are battling harsh weather conditions, with seven feet of snow covering the avalanche site. Over 65 personnel, including specialized Army rescue units, doctors, and ambulances, are engaged in operations.
The avalanche, which buried the BRO camp between Mana and Badrinath, struck between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM on Friday morning. The Army’s Ibex Brigade, trained for high-altitude rescue missions, quickly mobilized with over 100 personnel to assist.
Rescue Operations Halted Due to Weather Risks
Operations were temporarily paused due to bad weather and the risk of further avalanches. Officials reported that two smaller avalanches followed the initial snowslide, making conditions even more dangerous.
Mana, located at an altitude of 3,200 meters, is the last Indian village before the Tibet border, just three kilometers from Badrinath. Visuals from the site show rescuers struggling through thick layers of snow in a landscape covered in white.
The situation remains critical, and further updates on the rescue efforts are awaited.