Dehradun – Indian rescue efforts to reach 41 men trapped in a collapsed road tunnel in the northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand have faced a temporary setback due to fears of a potential cave-in. The rescue operation, spanning a week, confronted a “panic situation” as a cracking sound on Friday heightened concerns about the stability of the tunnel.
Excavators, deployed since Sunday to clear debris from the tunnel following the collapse of a section being constructed, encountered difficulties with falling debris and repeated breakdowns of heavy drilling machines.
A revelation by a senior local civil servant, Abhishek Ruhela, disclosed that 41 men were trapped, one more than initially reported by the construction company, NHIDCL. The government’s highways and infrastructure company acknowledged that a cracking sound late on Friday had caused “panic” within the tunnel, prompting a halt in operations due to the potential risk of a “further collapse.”
Communication with the trapped men has been maintained through radios, while essential supplies like food, water, oxygen, and medicine are being sent through a 15cm-wide pipe. However, the critical drilling work necessary to reach the trapped workers remained suspended on Saturday.
NHIDCL’s director, Anshu Manish Khalkho, cautioned that the rescue operation “may take time.” Engineers are actively working on driving a 90cm-wide steel pipe through the debris, allowing the trapped individuals to pass through.
Despite challenges, the rescue team remains resilient, continuously communicating with those inside the tunnel. The operation’s complexity was further highlighted as the initial drill broke down, and a replacement, transported via a military plane, encountered difficulties due to a boulder.
Relatives of the trapped individuals expressed concern, with some reporting brief conversations with their loved ones. Emotional encounters, such as Vikram Singh’s conversation with his exhausted and weak brother, Pushkar, revealed the harsh reality faced by those awaiting rescue.
The Indian air force, supporting the operation, conveyed that a C-17 Globemaster aircraft delivered nearly 22 tonnes of critical equipment for the rescue effort. As efforts persist, the overarching sentiment remains one of hope, tempered by the realization that the ordeal may yet extend.
By AFP
