40 Men Trapped in Indian Tunnel for Fifth Day: Rescues Resume with Tunnel Drilling

Rescuers at the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand, India, are intensifying efforts to free 40 workers trapped inside for the past five days. Despite slow progress in drilling through rock and soil debris, authorities are confident in the advanced drilling machine flown in from New Delhi to accelerate the rescue mission.

The 4.5 km tunnel is part of the Char Dham highway, a significant project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government aiming to connect four Hindu pilgrimage sites. While the cause of the tunnel collapse hasn’t been determined, the region is susceptible to landslides, earthquakes, and floods.

As of now, drilling has penetrated 12 meters of debris, with a total distance of 60 meters to cover. Devendra Singh Patwal, a disaster management officer, highlighted the major challenge of maintaining the alignment straight, causing delays in the process.

V.K. Singh, federal deputy minister for road transport and highways, expressed optimism, assuring that the trapped workers have access to electricity, food, and water via a pipe installed and are in contact with rescuers through walkie-talkies. Singh emphasized that the top priority is to bring everyone out safely and that Indian agencies are consulting with experts from various countries.

Since the tunnel collapse, healthcare facilities have been set up near the site, supplying the trapped men with essential resources and medicines for health complaints. Reports indicate that the food provided can sustain them for up to nine days.

Despite the difficulties faced, the rescue mission continues with determination and hope to save all 40 men. The federal government has stressed the employment of environmentally friendly techniques in the project’s design to ensure safety in geologically unstable areas.

The collaborative efforts of rescuers and experts demonstrate the commitment to bring the trapped workers out of the tunnel. The situation remains intense as the rescue mission unfolds, aiming for a successful outcome.

Reference