Rescuers dig by hand as trapped workers reach 16 days in collapsed tunnel
Desperate Rescuers Begin Digging by Hand as Trapped Workers Mark 16 Days in Collapsed Tunnel
Authorities in India announced on Monday that they were about to embark on the final phase of rescuing the 41 construction workers who have been trapped in a collapsed mountain tunnel in the country’s north for over two weeks.
The rescue operation took a new approach as rescuers started drilling vertically instead of horizontally from the front. A newly replaced drilling machine has already excavated about 105 feet, according to officials.
Devendra Patwal, a disaster management official at the site, expressed confidence in their preparedness for any challenges they may face during the manual digging process. However, he hoped that the mountain would not pose significant resistance.
Rescuers have already dug horizontally and inserted pipes up to 150 feet, creating a passageway for the trapped workers to be pulled out on wheeled stretchers.
The drilling machine faced repeated breakdowns due to the rugged terrain, and it was irreparably damaged on Friday, necessitating its replacement. Rescuers worked overnight to remove parts of the machine stuck inside the pipes, enabling manual digging to commence.
The workers have been trapped since November 12 when a landslide caused a section of the 2.8-mile tunnel they were constructing to collapse, approximately 650 feet from the entrance.
The vertical digging, which began on Sunday, requires the rescuers to excavate about 347 feet, nearly double the distance they need to dig horizontally from the front. They may encounter similar risks and problems encountered earlier, such as damaging the first drilling machine or causing more debris to fall due to high-intensity vibrations.
As the rescue operation entered its 16th day, uncertainty loomed over its outcome. Some locals offered Hindu prayers near the tunnel.
What was initially expected to be a rescue mission lasting a few days has now extended into weeks, with officials hesitant to provide a timeline. However, Arnold Dix, an international expert assisting the rescue team, expressed confidence that the workers would be reunited with their families by Christmas, indicating their preparedness for a longer operation.
The majority of the trapped workers are migrant laborers from different parts of the country. Their families have gathered at the site, anxiously awaiting updates on the rescue effort and hoping for a swift reunion.
The trapped workers have been provided with hot meals through a 6-inch pipe after surviving on dry food sent through a narrower pipe for several days. Oxygen is also being supplied through a separate pipe, and a team of doctors, including psychiatrists, is monitoring their health.
The collapsed tunnel was part of the Chardham all-weather road project, which aims to connect various Hindu pilgrimage sites. However, some experts argue that this flagship initiative of the federal government will worsen the fragile conditions in the upper Himalayas, where several towns are built on landslide debris.
Uttarakhand attracts a large number of pilgrims and tourists who visit its Hindu temples. The construction of buildings and roadways has led to an increase in visitors over the years.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The post Desperate Rescuers Begin Digging by Hand as Trapped Workers Mark 16 Days in Collapsed Tunnel appeared first on The Western Journal.
What challenges and risks are associated with the vertical digging phase of the rescue operation
It has been 16 days since the collapse of a mountain tunnel in northern India, trapping 41 construction workers inside. As desperate rescuers tirelessly continue their efforts, the operation has entered its final phase, with authorities announcing a new approach in their rescue strategy.
The rescue operation took a significant turn as rescuers decided to drill vertically instead of horizontally from the front. A newly replaced drilling machine has successfully excavated approximately 105 feet, according to officials, marking progress in the rescue efforts.
Devendra Patwal, a disaster management official at the site, expressed his confidence in the team’s preparedness for the challenges that lie ahead during the manual digging process. However, he expressed his hope that the mountain would not pose significant resistance, potentially hindering their progress.
Prior to the vertical drilling phase, rescuers had already dug horizontally and inserted pipes up to 150 feet, creating a passageway through which the trapped workers could be pulled out on wheeled stretchers.
However, the drilling machine faced numerous breakdowns due to the rugged terrain, and on Friday, it was irreparably damaged, requiring its replacement. Rescuers worked tirelessly overnight to remove parts of the machine stuck inside the pipes, allowing them to begin the manual digging process.
The workers have been trapped since November 12 when a landslide caused a section of the 2.8-mile tunnel they were constructing to collapse, approximately 650 feet from the entrance.
The vertical digging, which began on Sunday, poses its own set of challenges. Rescuers will need to excavate approximately 347 feet vertically, nearly double the distance they needed to dig horizontally from the front. This approach carries similar risks and problems encountered earlier, such as damaging the first drilling machine or causing more debris to fall due to high-intensity vibrations.
As the rescue operation entered its 16th day, uncertainty looms over its outcome. Locals, touched by the plight of the trapped workers, have offered Hindu prayers near the tunnel, hoping for a safe and successful rescue.
It is a race against time for the rescuers, still tirelessly digging by hand to save the lives of these workers. The efforts and determination displayed by the rescue team are commendable as they work against challenging conditions to reach their goal. The outcome of this rescue mission will be truly significant, not only for the trapped workers and their families but also for the community and the nation at large. As the world watches, hoping for a miracle, every effort must be made to ensure a safe and successful rescue operation.
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