Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Rescue efforts continue for 40 trapped workers

Rescue operations persisted on the fifth day after an under-construction tunnel collapsed between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national high trapping 40 workers

Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Rescue operations persisted on the fifth day after an under-construction tunnel collapsed between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national high trapping 40 workers, according to an ANI report.

The tunnel, which is under construction, collapsed in the early hours of November 12, the report added.

ANI sources informed them that after the rescue operation, the workers trapped will be taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)- Rishikesh for treatment.

According to the report, the relief efforts involved the installation of heavy drill machines which were airlifted from Delhi to facilitate the rescue of workers trapped in debris.

The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Tunnel Project Director, Anshu Manish Khulko has meanwhile assured that the efforts to evacuate the workers are underway and they shall be taken to AIIMS for treatment.

"The installation work of the machines airlifted from Delhi has been done and the rescue operation work is underway," Anshu Manish Khulko, National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Tunnel Project Director told ANI.

The father of one of the trapped labourers, Dharam Singh, expressed hope for his son's rescue and said he could speak with his son for little while. He also told ANI that the workers were being provided with food and water in small quantities.

Speaking to the media, Singh said, "My 20-year-old son Vijay Kumar is trapped inside the tunnel. I spoke to my son for a little while and I gave him courage and assured him that everything would be fine and he would be brought out by this evening. Food and water are being provided to him in small quantities."

Meanwhile, the NHIDCL officials were confident that the rescue mission would be successful and asserted that they have been coordinating with administration and medical teams for support.

"We have the support of the administration... We will succeed in this (rescue process). The machine is 99.99% installed. I want to inform everyone not to get misled... Everyone is fine; they don't need medical help. But still, the medical team is here..." NHIDCL PRO Girdharilaal was quoted as saying.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed continuous coordination between state and central agencies, providing contact numbers for families and issuing instructions for necessary assistance.

CMO in a statement said that the administration has issued telephone numbers for continuous contact and communication with families of the workers trapped in the tunnel.  Additionally, the statement read that appropriate guidelines have already been given to the government and administration for all possible help and assistance.

According to the ANI report, the CMO statement stated instructions were given to the district administration to make arrangements and cooperate with kin and colleagues of the trapped workers at the incident site as well as the media.

With ANI inputs

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