Uttarakhand Avalanche Rescue Op Ends As Last Missing Worker’s Body Found, Death Toll Rises To 8

In the Uttarakhand avalanche incident, the last missing person’s body was found on Sunday. All 54 persons have either been rescued or their bodies recovered. The recovery marks the culmination of Mana Village Rescue Operation, Lt Col Manish Shrivastava, PRO (Defence) Dehradun told news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed satisfaction with the rescue operation saying, “I can say with great satisfaction that most of the people have been rescued and the search for the rest is ongoing… Uttarakhand is a disaster-prone state; landslides are a challenge here. But the government here has made good arrangements to tackle these incidents.”

#WATCH | Haridwar, Uttarakhand | On the Mana (Chamoli) avalanche incident, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, “I can say with great satisfaction that most of the people have been rescued and the search for the rest is ongoing… Uttarakhand is a disaster-prone state;… pic.twitter.com/uQBlc51A2o

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2025

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari earlier clarified that the total number of trapped workers was initially reported as 55, but one of them was later found to be on unauthorised leave and safe at home, reducing the total to 54. “Yesterday, doctors confirmed four deaths,” he added.  

The Indian Air Force (IAF) reported that a Mi-17 helicopter had airlifted a drone-based Intelligent Buried Object Detection system for search operations. IAF Cheetah helicopters have also been actively involved in the rescue efforts since Saturday, ANI reported.  

ALSO READ | ‘We Heard A Loud Thunder’: Uttarakhand Avalanche In Survivor’s Words

3 In Critical Condition As Injured Workers Undergo Treatment At AIIMS Rishikesh & Joshimath Army Hospital

BRO workers injured in the avalanche are being airlifted for treatment at Joshimath Army Hospital, while some critically injured patients have been sent to AIIMS Rishikesh.  

Speaking about the situation at AIIMS Rishikesh, PRO Sandeep Singh said, “Five people were scheduled to be brought here, but later, we came to know that four would be brought here. One injured has been brought here, and he has a spinal injury. He is being examined. His spine surgery will perhaps be done today. His legs are not functioning right now… The team is observing him… Another injured is also scheduled to be airlifted here today… He has suffered a pelvic injury. Other patients are being examined at the base hospital.”  

#WATCH | Mana (Chamoli) avalanche, Uttarakhand | Rishikesh: PRO of AIIMS Rishikesh, Sandeep Singh says, “…5 people were scheduled to be brought here but later we came to know that 4 would be brought here. One Ashok Kumar has been brought here and he has spinal injury. He is… pic.twitter.com/FZQsUgi2R8

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2025

Meanwhile, Major Amit Kumar Mishra at the Joshimath Army Hospital provided an update on the condition of those admitted there, stating, “We have 45 patients here. Three are in critical condition—one is bleeding in the liver, and we are trying to manage it by blood transfusion. We are monitoring the situation, but as of now, all are stable.”  

#WATCH | Mana (Chamoli) avalanche incident | At Joshimath Army Hospital, Major Amit Kumar Mishra says, “We have 45 patients here. 3 are in critical condition – one is having bleeding in the liver, and we are trying to manage it by blood transfusion… We are monitoring the… pic.twitter.com/ton99HDUeZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2025

Earlier today, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the Disaster Control Room at IT Park, Dehradun, to review the rescue efforts for the second consecutive day.