In SILKYARA, India, rescuers are working to drill through the last portion of debris blocking a collapsed tunnel in the Indian Himalayas in order to reach 41 workers trapped for ten days. It is hoped that this work will be completed by early Thursday, unless any new obstacles arise. Despite being stranded in the 4.5-km (3-mile) tunnel in Uttarakhand state since Nov. 12, the men are reported to be safe, with access to light, oxygen, food, water, and medicines.
Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the tunnel’s collapse, but the region is prone to landslides, earthquakes, and floods. Efforts to rescue the workers have been slowed due to difficulties in drilling in the mountainous terrain. As of Wednesday, around 42 m (130 ft) of the estimated 60 m (197 ft) that need to be cleared has been drilled through, according to Mahmood Ahmed, an official of the firm building the tunnel. He expressed hope that by late Wednesday or early Thursday, some positive news would be received.
The debris might contain large boulders, stones, and metal girders, which are possible obstructions for the evacuation pipe. Welding the pipe together is also taking more time than expected, according to Mr. Ahmed. First images from inside the tunnel show workers communicating with rescuers, while the trapped men have been receiving fruits and cooked food items.
Rescue co-ordination official Neeraj Khairwal confirmed that toiletries and clothing have been delivered. The trapped workers are said to be in good spirits, with 15 doctors, including chest specialists, on site. Furthermore, 40 ambulances are on standby. The families of 11 of the trapped men have arrived at the site, anxious to see their loved ones rescued. The trapped workers are mostly low-wage earners from poor states in the north and east of India. They are waiting for their rescue and reuniting with their families.