41 Workers Safely Rescued from Uttarakhand Tunnel, Airborne Rescue Operation Conducted Using Chinook Helicopter

Posted on November 29, 2023November 30, 2023 by admin

41 construction workers, who were trapped in a tunnel in Uttarkashi for 17 days, have been airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh for medical examination. Despite not having any external injuries, the workers will undergo tests at the premier hospital as a precautionary measure. The workers were rescued from the Silkyara-Dindalgaon tunnel on Tuesday and initially taken to a makeshift hospital in Chinyalisaur. The decision to airlift them to AIIMS was made to save time and ensure their well-being during the journey.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the workers at the hospital on Wednesday and provided them with financial aid of Rs 1 lakh each. The workers will be kept under observation at AIIMS for 24 hours due to their prolonged exposure to the tunnel’s conditions. The lack of sunlight and fresh air necessitates thorough examination and testing.

Although the distance between Chinyalisaur and Rishikesh is approximately 150 km, airlifting was chosen to expedite the transportation process and prevent any potential health issues. Paramedics accompanied the workers on the Chinook helicopter to ensure their safety and well-being during the journey.

The decision to transfer the workers to Rishikesh also takes into account the convenience of their relatives. Once the doctors give them a clean bill of health, it will be easier to arrange transportation back to their homes since Rishikesh has better road and railway connectivity.

The workers received a warm welcome upon their rescue from the tunnel, with cheers and flower garlands. Chief Minister Dhami was present at the site to greet them. The workers were brought out of the tunnel using wheeled stretchers through a 57-meter steel pipe.

The medical examination and tests at AIIMS will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the workers’ health and ensure their well-being after their traumatic experience in the tunnel.