Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel for two weeks face grim news as rescue efforts stall
Workers Trapped in Collapsed Tunnel for Two Weeks Get Worse News as Rescue Efforts Grind to a Halt
Efforts to reach 41 construction workers who have been trapped in a collapsed tunnel in northern India for two weeks faced another setback on Saturday.
The drilling machine broke down late Friday, leaving the rescuers to manually remove debris in hopes of reaching the stranded workers. However, the entire operation has come to a standstill.
Arnold Dix, an international expert assisting the rescue team, expressed uncertainty about when the drilling will resume. He stated, “The machine is busted. It is irreparable. The mountain has once again resisted the auger (machine).”
Dix explained that the rescuers would need to replace the entire drilling machine before they can continue digging, but he did not specify how long this process would take.
The workers have been trapped since November 12th when a landslide caused a portion of the 2.8-mile tunnel they were building to collapse. The challenging mountainous terrain has posed difficulties for the drilling machine, which had previously broken twice during rescue attempts.
The machine stopped working after drilling about 6.5 feet of the last 40 feet of rock debris that would create an exit for the workers.
Rescuers have inserted pipes into the dug-out channel and welded them together to create a passageway for the workers to be pulled out on wheeled stretchers. So far, approximately 151 feet of pipe has been installed.
As an alternative plan, a new drilling machine for vertical digging was brought to the accident site. However, rescue teams will need to dig 338 feet downward to reach the trapped workers, nearly double the distance of the horizontal shaft.
The trapped workers have been provided with hot meals and oxygen through separate pipes. Medical professionals, including psychiatrists, have been monitoring their health.
Most of the trapped workers are migrant laborers, and their families have gathered at the accident site, anxiously awaiting updates on the rescue effort and hoping for a reunion with their loved ones.
The tunnel being constructed was part of the Chardham all-weather road project, which aims to connect various Hindu pilgrimage sites. However, some experts argue that this project, a flagship initiative of the federal government, will worsen the fragile conditions in the upper Himalayas.
Uttarakhand, where the accident occurred, attracts a large number of pilgrims and tourists due to 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 Workers Trapped in Collapsed Tunnel for Two Weeks Get Worse News as Rescue Efforts Grind to a Halt appeared first on The Western Journal.
What challenges are the rescue team facing in their efforts to reach the trapped workers?
Opening to reach the trapped workers. The rescuers have been tirelessly working to clear the debris manually, but progress has been slow and hindered by the rugged terrain.
The trapped workers, who were working on the ambitious Rohtang Tunnel project, are anxiously waiting for their rescuers to reach them. They have been surviving on limited food supplies and hope for a speedy rescue operation.
Family members of the workers are growing increasingly worried as the rescue efforts face continuous setbacks. They have been waiting anxiously near the site, hoping for good news and their loved ones’ safe return.
Local authorities have been providing support and resources to the rescue operation. They have deployed additional manpower and equipment to expedite the rescue process. However, the challenging conditions have proven to be a formidable obstacle.
The collapse of the tunnel and subsequent entrapment of the workers have brought attention to the safety concerns surrounding construction projects in India. Questions are being raised about the precautions taken during the construction of the tunnel and the safety measures in place for the workers.
The incident has sparked a debate on the need for stricter regulations and better enforcement of safety standards in the construction industry. It serves as a reminder of the risks faced by workers in hazardous and demanding environments.
As the days pass by, the desperate wait for the trapped workers continues. The rescue team remains determined despite the setbacks and is working tirelessly to reach the trapped individuals.
The incident in northern India has not only affected the lives of the trapped workers and their families but has also sparked a nationwide conversation about the safety and well-being of workers. It is hoped that this incident will serve as a catalyst for change and lead to improvements in safety standards and regulations in the construction industry.
For now, the trapped workers and their families hold on to hope while the rescue efforts face challenges. It is a race against time, and the rescue team’s efforts must not falter. The nation waits with bated breath for positive news and the successful rescue of the workers trapped in the collapsed tunnel.
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