Less than 20 meters of rock and debris stand between 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara and their rescuers, as officials anticipate “big news” within the next 24 hours. Mahmood Ahmed, a senior official with Uttarakhand’s Road and Transport Department, announced that the auger, or earth drilling machine, has drilled 18 meters so far since being switched on at 12:45 am. “I am very happy to share that drilling for 39 meters has been completed. Estimates indicate the workers are trapped 57 meters underground, so only 18 meters is left,” he explained. However, the most time-consuming process, according to Mr. Ahmed, is the welding of pipes that will be pushed into the drilled holes to provide an escape route for the workers. Rescue efforts have been hindered by falling debris and breakdowns of heavy-drilling machines. The central and state governments have pledged to do everything possible to bring the workers back safely but have not provided a specific timeline for their rescue. The workers could be rescued between 60 hours and 15 days, officials have said. Five government agencies, including the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, have been involved in the rescue operation, with specific goals set, including drilling vertically for an alternative escape route. In case the main entrance route fails, blasting and drilling have also begun from the far end of the unfinished tunnel. Rescuers have already drilled smaller holes to supply the trapped workers with food, water, and medicine. Last night, the workers received their first solid food in over a week. Family members of the trapped workers have also been brought to the site to provide moral support.
Race Against Time: 18 Metres Remain in Effort to Rescue 41 Trapped Workers in Uttarakhand Tunnel
