On Sunday, a collapse occurred in a road tunnel under construction in northern India, trapping at least 40 construction workers. The incident took place early in the morning in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand as a group of workers was exiting, and replacement workers were entering.
Durgesh Rathodi, a state disaster response official, reported that approximately 200 meters (218 yards) of the tunnel collapsed, leaving the workers trapped. Rescue efforts were underway, with oxygen being supplied through the debris. However, the situation was complicated by additional rubble falling as rescuers attempted to clear the obstruction.
The 4.5-kilometer-long tunnel was being constructed to connect the holy shrines of Uttarkashi and Yamnotri, situated between Silkyara and Dandalgaon. Photographs from government rescue teams depicted extensive piles of concrete obstructing the wide tunnel, with twisted metal bars from the broken roof protruding in front of the debris.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to social media, expressing concern and asking for prayers for the safe rescue of the trapped workers. Accidents on large infrastructure construction sites are unfortunately common in India.
Muslim Leaders Call for ICC Probe into Israeli Actions, Establish Legal Units to Document War Crimes
Muslim leaders have formally requested the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel for alleged war crimes against Palestinians. They have designated the general secretaries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to oversee the probe’s implementation.
A resolution from a Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Israeli aggression against Palestinians urges the ICC prosecutor to conclude the investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel in all occupied Palestinian territories, including East Al-Quds.
