New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) As many as 57 workers of a BRO Labour Camp were buried when an avalanche struck the site between Mana and Badrinath on Friday.
According to the Indian Army, the incident took place at around 0715 hours that buried 57 workers inside eight containers and one shed.
The Indian Army response teams, comprising more than 100 personnel from Ibex Bigade, were immediately mobilised comprising doctors, ambulances and plant equipment, the Indian Army siad.
By 1150 hours, the teams had located five containers and successfully rescued 10 individuals, all alive. Of the 10 rescued, four personnel are reported to be in critical condition.
Search operations are ongoing for the remaining three containers, with the aim of rescuing the trapped individuals, they said.
Due to subsequent small-scale avalanches in the area, progress in rescue operations is slow and being carried out with due caution.
Heavy snowfall continues in the region, and GREF is working on clearing the road between Joshimath and Mana.
Additional medical resources from Joshimath are being mobilised to Mana to assist with the rescue and medical aid.
Meanwhile Defence Minster Rajnath Singh termed the incident as unfortunate and said that the administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.
"An unfortunate avalanche has occurred in the Mana area of Joshimath (Uttarakhand) today impacting the GREF camp of BRO. Spoke to CM Shri @pushkardhami regarding the situation. The administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected," Singh said in a post on X.
"Rescue efforts by local Army units are also underway. All efforts to rescue the trapped personnel are being undertaken by utilising all available resources," he added.
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