At least 26 people were killed and more than 150 remain missing after a chunk of Himalayan glacier broke off in India and sent water and debris flooding the area, according to multiple reports.
Search teams of more than 2,000 people have been searching along the banks of the Alakananda and Dhauliganga rivers in the state of Uttarakhand following the incident on Sunday, the Associated Press reported.
Most of those reported missing were working on two different projects — the small Rishiganga hydroelectric project, which was destroyed, and a bigger one being built by a state firm further down the Dhauliganga river, which was damaged, according to Reuters.
“Our brave-hearts worked throughout the night and have reached the mouth of tunnel…rescue operations are ongoing in full swing & we are hoping to save more lives,” Uttarakhand state chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat wrote on Twitter Sunday night. “Unfortunately, rescue teams have also recovered 11 dead bodies so far. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone.”❐
Our brave-hearts worked throughout the night and have reached the mouth of tunnel…rescue operations are ongoing in full swing & we are hoping to save more lives. Unfortunately, rescue teams have also recovered 11 dead bodies so far. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
— Trivendra Singh Rawat ( मोदी का परिवार) (@tsrawatbjp) February 8, 2021
The AP reported that rescuers were trying on Monday to reach 37 power plant workers trapped in a tunnel following the disaster.
Twelve workers from the plant were rescued on Sunday from a separate, smaller tunnel, and those still stuck have been out of contact since the flood. Officials told the AP they were using heavy machinery to clear a tunnel 1.5 miles long in order to reach them.
