13 more bodies found on Day 3, 28 still missing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 02 2022: Another 13 bodies including eight of personnel of the Territorial Army, were found on the third day of the search and rescue operation at the Tupul railway construction site in Makhuam village under Noney district on Saturday.

Meanwhile, official source has updated the total number of affected people to 80, which is one less than the earlier figure.

With the recovery of 13 bodies, the total fatality count has reached 34 while the number of injured victims remains constant at 18.As 52 individuals have been accounted for, 28 individuals including seven TA personnel are still missing.

Out of the 80 affected people, 43 are TA personnel and 37 civilians including NHIDCL and BIPL officials.

Eight bodies were recovered and 18 injured persons rescued on the first day of the operation.

On the other hand, 13 bodies each were found on the second and third day.

Out of the 43 affected TA personnel, 36 have been accounted for, which include 13 survivors, while seven are still missing.

Out of the 37 civilians, 16 have been accounted for including five survivors while 21 are still missing.

Altogether, 627 personnel of different agencies including 25 local civil volunteers are carrying out the search operation by using 37 excavators.

The operation on Saturday began from 4 am.

A re port by DC Noney informed that new cracks have appeared onsite due to early morning rainfall.

Search parties were advised to exercise caution while carrying out the operation, the report added.

The search for 35 more continues unabated by NDRF, SDRF, Army and police personnel.

At present, the search teams have zeroed down to two different spots for search operations as most bodies have been recovered from these spots.

Heavy machinery along with 'through wall imaging radars' are being deployed to expedite operations.

Mortal remains of 14 Army personnel, including 1 JCO and 12 other ranks of Territorial Army personnel were sent to their respective home stations by two IAF aircrafts and an Indian Army helicopter, while one mortal remain was sent to Kangpokpi district by road, after wreath laying by GOC Red Shield Division and IGAR (South) with full military honours on Saturday morning.

Mortal remains of 11 Gorkha Rifles jawans hailing from Darjeeling and Sikkim of the Army, airlifted for Bagdogra Airport on Saturday were accorded a ceremonial departure with a wreath-laying ceremony.

Similar befitting honours will be paid at respective home stations as per military tradition, officials said, adding that 13 injured Territorial Army soldiers and five civilians have been extricated even as rescue operations by the army, and central and state agencies were on at full pace since the past three days.

A defence spokesman said that mortal remains of 14 Territorial Army personnel, including one JCO, were sent to their respective home stations by Indian Air Force aircraft and an Indian Army helicopter, while one body was sent to Manipur's Kangpokpi by road after a wreath-laying ceremony in Imphal.

Search for missing Territorial Army personnel and civilians continued and several excavators are being used to pull out bodies from the Ijei River.

Around 10 columns of defence personnel have been pressed into the search operation, he said, adding a synergised and joint operational task force is coordinating the efforts to remove the mud and boulders.

The unfortunate incident occurred at Tupul Yard Railway Construction Camp in Noney district on Wednesday night.

On Friday, chief minister N Biren visited the site for the second time to oversee the search operations personally along With his ministerial colleagues as well as Lok Sabha MP Lorho S Pfoze and top officials among others.

Informing that fresh teams were deployed on Saturday morning to intensify the search, PRO (Defence) said in a release that Through Wall Radar is being successfully used and search and rescue dogs employed to assist the search.

So far 13 Territorial Army personnel and 5 civilians have been safely rescued, while mortal remains of 18 Territorial Army personnel and 6 civilians have been recovered so far.

Mortal remains of 14 personnel including 1 JCO and 12 other ranks of Territorial Army personnel were sent to their respective home stations on two IAF aircrafts and an Indian Army helicopter, while one mortal remain was sent to Kangpokpi district by road, after wreath laying by GOC Red Shield Division and IGAR (South) at Imphal with full military honours in Saturday morning.

Similar befitting honours will be paid at respective home stations as per military tradition.

Search for 12 missing Territorial Army personnel and 26 civilians still is continuing", the PRO added.

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