NEW DELHI: The death toll in the Chamoli avalanche incident rose to eight after the body of the last missing worker was recovered at 1643 hours today, marking the conclusion of search and rescue operations.
The avalanche struck the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) labour site near Mana village, about 5 km from Badrinath Temple, on Friday, burying 54 workers inside eight containers and a shed under snow.
Thirty-three were rescued by Friday night, and 17 more were pulled out on Saturday by joint efforts of the Army, Air Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
Four workers died during treatment.
Despite heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures dropping to minus 12 degrees Celsius, over 200 personnel from multiple agencies worked tirelessly in extreme conditions.
Specialised RECCO radars, drones, and avalanche rescue dogs were deployed to trace the missing.
Six helicoptersโincluding three from the Army Aviation Corps, two from the Air Force, and one civil chopperโwere engaged in relief efforts.
On Saturday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey of the avalanche-hit site and reviewed the operations.
The Indian Army extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased workers. The Army also commended the efforts of all personnel who braved harsh weather and difficult terrain to save lives.
