In the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, a desperate rescue effort is underway to free 41 construction workers who have been trapped in a collapsed road tunnel for 12 days.
The rescue mission, which aims to drill through debris to create an escape route for the workers, has encountered fresh delays due to complications with a drilling machine, raising concerns about the critical next 24 hours.
Critical Hours Ahead
The US-made auger machine, mounted on a platform, faced destabilization as the platform developed cracks, as reported by the Times of India. This machine is crucial for drilling through the rubble to construct a tunnel of pipes welded together, providing a means for the workers to escape.
The plan involves wheeling the trapped workers out on stretchers through the pipes, with the auger machine’s drilling capacity of up to 16 feet per hour.
Equipped with a 2.9-foot diameter pipe to clear debris, the machine encounters slowdowns due to the pile of rubble. The rescue teams, currently around 30 feet away from the trapped workers, need to drill down approximately 195 feet to reach them, marking the final phase of the operation.
The construction workers have been trapped since November 12 when a landslide caused a section of the 2.7-mile Silkyara tunnel they were building to collapse about 500 feet from the entrance.
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Trapped Workers in Indian Tunnel Rescue Operation
The challenging terrain, prone to landslides and subsidence, has complicated the rescue efforts.
These workers were part of a project to construct a section of a 424-mile road connecting various Hindu pilgrimage sites in the region, known for its mountainous topography and temples attracting pilgrims and tourists.
Since the collapse, rescue personnel have maintained contact with the trapped workers, providing them with essential supplies such as oxygen, food, and water. However, the rescue operation hit a hurdle on Wednesday when a thick metal rod was encountered, requiring the use of gas cutters.
Officials resorted to commandeering the US machine last week after the initial one proved too slow at pushing through the debris.
As the critical next 24 hours unfold, the rescue teams are racing against time to overcome the challenges posed by the drilling machine issues and bring the trapped workers to safety.
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