Rescue Efforts Continue for Trapped Workers in Collapsed Indian Tunnel

Indian rescuers are facing challenges as they work to clear rubble and debris from a collapsed tunnel in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where 40 workers have been trapped for nearly a week. The workers were constructing a 4.5-kilometer tunnel between the towns of Silkyara and Dandalgaon to connect Uttarkashi and Yamunotri, two significant Hindu shrines when a portion of the tunnel collapsed.

Efforts to rescue the trapped workers have been hindered by ongoing debris falls, slowing progress. The Air Force flew in a second drilling machine to expedite the process. Engineers are attempting to drive a 90-centimeter-wide steel pipe through the debris to create an escape route for the workers.

As of Thursday night, only 18 meters of pipe had been inserted into the debris. The rescue leader, Deepak Patil, estimated that it could take another 40-48 hours to complete the rescue if the work continues at the current pace.

Rescue teams are seeking assistance from experts, including advice from the Thai company involved in the 2018 cave rescue and expertise from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute in soil and rock mechanics. Communication with the trapped workers is being maintained through radios, and essential supplies like food, water, oxygen, and medicine are being sent through a narrow pipe.

Read Also:

• Man Rescued After 47 Hours In Collapsed Railway Tunnel
• 24 Escape As Two Buildings Collapse In Anambra
• Turkey Earthquake: Rescue Team Recovers $2m Buried In Rubble

While no official details have been provided about the condition of the trapped workers, local media reports suggest some are experiencing vomiting, headaches, anxiety, and stomach problems. A field hospital has been set up outside the site, with ambulances on standby to transfer serious cases to proper hospitals. The situation remains critical as rescuers continue their efforts to reach and free the trapped workers.

Follow us on Facebook