In a tragic conclusion to the rescue efforts in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, the body of the last missing worker was recovered on Sunday afternoon, bringing the total number of fatalities to eight.
The avalanche, which struck on February 28, buried 54 workers at a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site in Mana village.
The coordinated rescue operation involved personnel from the Army, ITBP, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF. It concluded as search teams successfully located and retrieved the last remaining bodies. Advanced technology, including reconnaissance radars, UAVs, quadcopters, and avalanche rescue dogs, played a crucial role in the operation.
Three workers remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment at AIIMS Rishikesh and the Joshimath Army Hospital. The bodies of the deceased were airlifted to medical facilities for postmortem examinations and identification.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his condolences to the families of the victims and praised the swift response from Prime Minister Modi and other government officials in mobilizing resources and agencies for the rescue efforts. Additionally, a drone-based intelligent buried object detection system was used to locate the trapped workers.
With the rescue operation now concluded, the focus shifts to supporting the survivors and their families as they cope with this tragic event.
