Rescue Strategy Shifts as India Tunnel Collapse Enters One-Week Milestone
Emergency teams in India continue their tireless rescue mission, working non-stop for a week to save 40 construction workers trapped underground The workers got trapped after a tunnel collapsed during the construction of a highway in Uttarakhand, Northern India
Emergency response teams in India are scrambling to rescue 40 construction workers who have been trapped underground since Sunday after a portion of a highway tunnel they were working on collapsed in Uttarakhand, prolonging the rescue operation into its seventh day.
Rescue teams continuously drilled to reach the trapped workers after obtaining a powerful drilling machine on Thursday. However, due to the delicate mountainous terrain, there were concerns that additional debris could fall, making the rescue efforts even more challenging.
"We have opted for a stop-and-go approach to maintain stability," stated Anshu Manish Khalkho, director of NHIDCL, a state-run highway management company. Khalkho made this announcement during a media briefing on Friday evening local time.
Rescuers had drilled around one-third of the way to the trapped workers on November 17.
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Videos posted on social media show rescue work paused with no drilling activity reported overnight Friday into Saturday.
Khalkho informed journalists that the rescuers have made significant progress in drilling into the collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel. Using a high-powered drilling machine, they have successfully drilled 25 meters (82 feet) inside the tunnel, which is approximately one-third of the distance to the trapped workers.
There is currently 60 meters of debris separating the rescuers from the trapped men. Khalkho explained that specialized pipes designed for the rescue operation have been inserted into around 25 meters (82 feet) of the debris. Nevertheless, there is still a remaining portion that needs to be covered in order to reach the 40 workers.
Khalkho explained that the 25-meter pipes, with a diameter of around 900 millimeters, are being inserted into the newly drilled hole and welded together. This network of pipes will serve as a means of escape for the trapped individuals, allowing them to navigate beyond the collapsed section of the tunnel.
When asked about the length of the ongoing rescue mission, Khalkho explained that although it may appear straightforward, we must consider the impact of drilling vibrations on the delicate terrain. He reiterated that the trapped workers are receiving essential supplies of food, water, and oxygen through a smaller pipe, while communication has been maintained with them through walkie-talkies. Additionally, it was reported earlier this week that some of the men have fallen ill, experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and headaches, according to a doctor present at the site.
Pushkar Singh Dhami/Twitter (X)
Rescuers are making urgent efforts to reach up to 40 workers who are trapped in a tunnel collapse in the Himalayas. Additionally, it has been confirmed that a backup drilling machine is being transported by air from Indore city in Madhya Pradesh, India, to aid in the ongoing rescue operations. According to Reuters, the original drilling machine malfunctioned on Friday and requires a replacement.
Additionally, Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, reassured the press that the rescue efforts are progressing smoothly with the untiring dedication of engineers and experts from NHIDCL. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is actively monitoring the situation.
A special team from the Prime Minister's office has been dispatched to the site of the tunnel collapse to assess the situation.
The tunnel is an integral component of Modi's ambitious Himalayan Char Dham Highway project, a multimillion-dollar infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity in Uttarakhand state and facilitating easier access to significant pilgrimage destinations.
