Rescue teams in India pulled dozens of construction workers from metal containers after an avalanche buried them in Uttarakhand Himalayas. The disaster struck a construction camp near Mana village on Friday trapping 54 workers under thick layers of snow.
While 46 survived inside metal shelters, 8 lost their lives before emergency teams could reach them. Officials confirmed that the operation lasted nearly 60 hours in sub-zero temperatures before concluding on Sunday.
Authorities credited the survival of most workers to the metal containers, which trapped enough oxygen to sustain them until rescuers arrived. A senior official said these shelters prevented workers from suffocating while buried under snow and debris.
The avalanche’s sheer force tossed eight containers and a shed down the mountain, worsening the destruction. Rescuers, including the Indian Army and disaster response teams, used helicopters and driónes to locate the buried shelters.
Survivors shared harrowing accounts of the Uttarakhand avalanche rescue, describing how the snowstorm trapped them without warning. Satyaprakash Yadav, a migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh, recalled how his container broke apart and landed near a river.
He and others managed to escape independently and found refuge in an army guest house overnight. Rajnish Kumar, another survivor, said most workers were asleep when the avalanche hit. He described how the force of the snow pushed their shelter 50 meters down the mountain before rescuers pulled them to safety.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the efforts of rescue teams who worked under extreme conditions. Many rescued workers are now receiving treatment in hospitals in Joshimath and Rishikesh.
Meanwhile, meteorologists warned of more snow and rainfall across northern states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu, and Kashmir. Experts say climate change has intensified avalanches and landslides, making extreme weather events less predictable.
As the Uttarakhand avalanche rescue concludes, authorities continue monitoring the region for further risks, ensuring workers remain safe from future disasters.
