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First Look at India Tunnel Men, 41 Still Trapped After a Week in Himalayas
India, Nov 21 (Reuters) – Finally, a glimpse of hope emerged on Tuesday as the first images surfaced of 41 men stranded for over a week in a highway tunnel in the Indian Himalayas. The images portray the men in a confined space, communicating with rescue workers as they remain trapped in the 4.5-km (3-mile) tunnel in Uttarakhand state.
The men, who have been stuck since November 12 when the tunnel caved in, have been deemed safe by authorities. They have access to essential supplies such as light, oxygen, food, water, and medicines. Although the cause of the cave-in remains unknown, the region is susceptible to natural disasters like landslides, earthquakes, and floods. Efforts to rescue the men have been hampered due to complications in drilling through the debris in the mountainous terrain.
Provided by authorities, a brief 30-second video clip depicts about a dozen of the trapped men standing in a semi-circle, donning helmets and construction worker jackets. The footage offers a small glimmer of hope as the men confirm their identities to rescue workers via walkie-talkies.
The video was captured using a medical endoscopy camera pushed through a 6-inch (15 cm) diameter pipeline drilled through the debris on Monday. It shows the trapped men responding positively to queries about their well-being, indicating that they are in good spirits despite the dire situation.
Rescuers are now preparing to resume drilling through a 60-meter (195-ft) pile of debris to create an opening large enough for the trapped men to crawl out. Furthermore, authorities are exploring multiple other strategies, including vertical drilling from the mountain’s summit to free the workers.
Amidst this perilous ordeal, the trapped men have been advised to engage in light activities such as yoga exercises and social interaction to maintain their well-being. Abhishek Sharma, a psychiatrist at the site, reported that the men have been sleeping well and remain optimistic about their impending rescue.
For family members of the trapped men, the wait is excruciating. Sunita Hembrom, the sister-in-law of one of the workers, shared her conversation with him, expressing his concern for their wellbeing and eagerness to be rescued soon.
As the daunting rescue mission continues, the fate of these 41 men remains uncertain. Yet, there is hope that they will soon emerge from the darkness of the tunnel into the light of safety and freedom.
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