Uttarakhand tunnel collapse rescue: All 41 trapped labourers succesfully rescued

All 41 workers safely extracted from collapse site

After days of relentless efforts, all the 41 labourers trapped inside the  Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12 have finally been rescued. Members of the NDRF team began pulling out the labourers gradually, beginning late this evening.

"I am completely relieved and happy as 41 trapped laborers in the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse have been successfully rescued," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on November 28 after all the trapped workers were brought safely out of the collapsed tunnel.

This was a well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies, marking one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years. Various departments and agencies complemented each other despite facing numerous challenges. Tireless and sincere efforts by everyone, coupled with prayers from all, have made this operation possible. The dedicated endeavors of the rescue teams have yielded favorable results," he said in a note.

Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had said on X, "With the blessing of Baba Baukh Nag Ji, prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of the rescue teams engaged in the rescue operation, the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed. Soon all the labourers will be taken out."  A senior Uttarakhand official at the site said drilling was complete.

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Police were deployed outside the tunnel and paramedics were kept on standby. An air ambulance was deployed as well.

A separate ward comprising 41 oxygen-supported beds was readied at the community health centre in Chinyalisaur. The road outside the tunnel, which became uneven due to regular movement of heavy vehicles over the past fortnight was being repaired and a fresh layer of soil was laid for smooth movement of ambulances.

Twelve rat-hole mining experts were involved in the horizontal excavation through the last 10 or 12-metre stretch of debris. They came from Delhi, Jhansi, and other parts of the country.

After high-tech and imported machines broke down several times during the long-drawn operation, officials decided to opt for a manual approach for horizontal drilling through the rubble. Individual workers entered the escape passage with drills and gas cutters to address obstacles such as iron girders.