Bhubaneswar, Nov 13: Five labourers from Odisha are among 40 persons who have been trapped in the collapsed under-construction tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarakhand for last several hours, officials said on Monday.

The Odia workers trapped inside the tunnel have been identified as Tapan Mandal and Bhagaban Batra of Nabarangpur, and Bisweswar Nayak, Raju Naik and Dhiren of Mayurbhanj.

Rescue and relief operations continued till the report was filed.

Rescue efforts by personnel from multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire brigade are on to remove debris and rescue the trapped workers in the Silkyara Tunnel. Heavy excavator machines have been deployed to remove debris.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed concern over the unfortunate incident of labourers being trapped inside the collapsed under-construction tunnel.

"Deeply concerned to know that several workers including workers from Odisha have been trapped following collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Praying for the safe and speedy rescue of all the workers," Patnaik said.

Read: Odisha: 24 Bonded Labourers Rescued From Kantabanji Railway Station

According to Uttarkashi SP Arpan Yaduvanshi, a portion of the under-construction tunnel connecting Silkyara to Dandalgaon collapsed on Saturday night. A part of the tunnel broke about 200 metres ahead of the starting point on the Silkyara side of Brahmakhal-Polgaon

All the 40 labourers trapped inside the tunnel are reportedly safe, he said.

(More details are awaited)

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