Rescuers working tirelessly to free 41 trapped workers in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, have reached the final stage of the operation. Only 2 meters of debris are left to be dug before the trapped workers can be reached.
According to officials, the rescue team is using a combination of manual digging and drilling to clear the last stretch of debris. Rat-hole mining experts have been deployed to the site to assist with the manual digging operation, which is proving to be challenging due to the presence of steel girders and concrete in the debris.
Despite the challenges, the rescue team remains optimistic about the outcome of the operation. They believe that the trapped workers are likely to be in good health, as they have been receiving regular food and water supplies through the drilling operation.
The tunnel collapse occurred on November 17, trapping 41 workers inside the under-construction tunnel on the Char Dham highway. Since then, rescue workers have been working around the clock to free the trapped workers. The operation has been hampered by heavy snowfall and the unstable nature of the collapsed tunnel.
However, the progress made in the last few days has given the rescue team new hope. With just 2 meters left to be dug, it is hoped that the trapped workers will be freed in the very near future.
Image: Rescue workers working on the site of the collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi
The successful rescue of the trapped workers would be a huge relief for their families and friends, as well as for the people of Uttarakhand. It would also serve as a testament to the resilience and determination of the rescue team.