India released images of 41 workers stuck in the tunnel for 10 days, while rescue forces were implementing a plan to rescue them.
The video released on November 21 was about 30 seconds long, because the endoscopic camera was inserted into the tunnel through a 15 cm wide pipe dug the day before. The image in the video shows a group of workers wearing protective helmets, standing around the camera with tired, worried faces.
A rescue worker outside asked each worker to come up to the camera and confirm their identity. The two sides appear to be communicating by walkie-talkie. “Don’t worry, we will get you out safely,” the rescue worker’s voice can be heard in the video.
41 workers were trapped for 10 days when a road tunnel under construction in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand state, collapsed on November 12. The rescue operation is ongoing but continues to encounter obstacles. Rescuers had previously dug a small pipe into the tunnel, helping provide oxygen, water and snacks to the workers.
India released images of 41 workers stuck in a tunnel
Image of a group of workers stuck in a tunnel in India. Video: Reuters
The workers’ colleagues were relieved to see they were safe. “I have seen them on camera. Now, I look forward to meeting them in person,” Rahul Ameen, a friend of two workers trapped in the tunnel, told BBC. He regularly visits the scene to update the situation.
“All workers are safe. We are making every effort to get them out soon,” said Pushkar Singh Dhami, chief minister of Uttarakhand state.
Indian officials said the new pipeline will help them provide more oxygen, necessities, and phones to workers. Rescuers delivered the first hot meals to the workers through this pipeline. It’s “khichdi”, consisting of rice and lentils, served in a plastic bottle.
Image of a group of workers trapped in a tunnel in India released by officials on November 21. Image: AFP
The tunnel where the workers crashed is 4.5 km long and is being built between the cities of Silkyara and Dandalgaon to connect two of India’s holiest Hindu temples, Uttarkashi and Yamnotri. Indian officials have not stated the cause of the tunnel collapse. This area is often affected by landslides, earthquakes and floods.
Rescuers are deploying five options by Indian National Oil Corporation (ONGC), hydroelectric power producer SJVNL, Ministry of Railways construction company RVNL, Infrastructure Development Corporation and National Highways (NHIDCL) and power generation company THDCL implemented.
The 5 options include SJVNL drilling vertically from the top of the tunnel, RVNL building a larger vertical pipeline to replace the current supply pipeline, ONGC drilling vertically from the top of Barkot town, NHIDCL drilling from the Silkyara head , THDCL digs a micro-tunnel from Barkot.
Efforts to rescue Indian workers trapped in the collapsed tunnel. Graphics: Reuters
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