Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation Live Updates: In one of India’s biggest rescue operations, all 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel were successfully evacuated on Tuesday (Nov 28) evening. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was seen smiling and hugging the workers. Talking to media after the rescue mission concluded, Dhami said that all workers are fine and no one was taken out on stretcher. The workers are now being taken to the local hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal took to X to express their relief and happiness over the success of the rescue mission.
Dhami announced that all workers will be given Rs 1 lakh each. Earlier in the day, the rescue of 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi entered the final phase. The rescuers achieved the breakthrough. An 8-bed emergency medical unit was set up inside the tunnel. Both NDRF and SDRF teams were inside the tunnel. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Union Minister VK Singh and other officials were also present at the spot.
Earlier in the day, a group of “rat-hole miners” initiated manual drilling activities to access the 41 workers. This is the 17th day of rescue operations. Approximately 24 skilled “rat-hole mining” specialists were engaged in the manual drilling procedure, working to excavate a narrow passageway leading to the trapped workers.
This outlawed, labor-intensive process requires the removal of debris and the establishment of a secure route for the ongoing rescue efforts. The workers are currently only 5 meters away from the rescue team. Some reports say that ‘Jai Mata Di’ chants can be heard from the other side. An international mining expert said that he heard that the workers trapped inside the tunnel are ‘playing cricket’. A green corridor has been set up to take the workers straight to the hospital.
Here are the latest updates on Uttarkashi tunnel rescue:
Latest reports from Silkyara tunnel say that the rescuers are likely to reach the trapped workers by 5 pm. According to the officials, the rescuers will get the first glimpse of the trapped workers by this time.
PM Modi dialed Dhami today to take stock of the situation. Latest reports say that the last pipe is being inserted for the final rescue.
Arnold Dix, the global mining expert, was seen today sitting next to a local priest praying for the safe evacuation of 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel.
BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam criticised the Congress party for its post against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in relation to the tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand. Dushyant Kumar described the post as ‘unfortunate’ and stated, “While the entire country is praying for the lives of the 41 trapped laborers, the Congress, despite being in a position of responsibility, is engaged in mockery and insults. This is very regrettable.” Earlier today, the official handle of the Congress party posted an animated image depicting PM Modi holding a green flag in front of the Silkyara tunnel, accompanied by a caption that read, “Install some cameras and then get darshan of Saheb.”
Rescue teams are 3 more metres away from the trapped workers, latest reports say. The rains have stopped and the Sun is out. The main entrance of the Silkyara tunnel has been cordoned off.
To bring out the trapped workers, rescuers are utilising the rat-hole mining technique to dig through approximately 10 meters of rubble. Previously, a large auger machine had been employed for this drilling task, but it became lodged in the debris at a depth of 47 meters on Friday.
The road adjacent to the tunnel, which had become uneven due to the constant passage of heavy vehicles over the past two weeks, is undergoing repairs. A new layer of soil is being laid to ensure smooth movement for ambulances.
In a post on X, the Congress took on the BJP for the ‘photo-ops’
कुछ कैमरे वगैरह लगवाएं,
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 28, 2023
तो साहेब के दर्शन हो जाएं pic.twitter.com/EOd1D1JQUj
Vertical drilling, which was temporarily halted last night, has now recommenced. Approximately 43 meters of drilling has been completed, and an additional 40 to 50 hours are estimated to be required to finish the remaining 43 meters, making up the total of 86 meters needed.
Family members of the 41 workers who are trapped have been advised to make necessary preparations, ensuring that the clothing and belongings of the workers are readily available.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage on Silkyara tunnel rescue operations. Latest ground reports say that the rat miners have reached a major breakthrough and they are just five metres away from the trapped workers, who have been there for past 17 days.