News Highlights: 4 students dead, several injured during Cochin University's anniversary celebrations

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Mahila Congress district president Sarada says, "The queue was uncontrollable...Due to rain, they rushed in. First, some fell down then others fell down on the top of them. By the time we reached here, students were taken to hospital by ambulance..."

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M R Ajith Kumar says, "It is suspected that there was a college arts function being held by the school of engineering. The invitees were asked to come in black t-shirts...Due to sudden rain people who were at the sites tried to get inside. So suddenly people who were on the steps fell down & people walked over them...Four people were brought dead to the hospital, and another four were seriously injured... Other than that, around a total of 46 people have reported injuries in medical college..."

Municipal Councilor Pramod says, "Exit and entrance through the same gate led to the stampede. Students were trying to enter through the same gate. Students who were entering through the steep steps fell down first and the huge crowd at the gate stomped them again and again."

Stampede at Cochin University during anniversary celebrations
Four students confirmed dead, several others injured
Health Minister Veena George reports the tragic incident
Victims brought dead to Kalamassery Medical College

Congress leader Sachin Pilot speaking in Tonk says "...People have taken the decision and sealed the future of Rajasthan in the boxes (EVMs). I am hopeful that Congress will get a majority on December 3, when the counting will be done. I even want to thank our opposition for putting forward their views. The elections have concluded very well. Everyone will wait for December 3 now and I hope Congress will form its government in Rajasthan...If we cross the majority mark, Congress MLAs and the high command will decide on what role will be given to whom..."

TMC West Bengal General Secretary & Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on CBI's inquiry against TMC MP Mahua Moitra to investigate allegations of “bribe for query” for raising questions in Parliament, says, "This is a political conspiracy of the BJP. They are misusing CBI, ED and other central investigative agencies as the frontal organisation... Since BJP has been losing in West Bengal, they are targetting TMC leaders..."

Congress leader Rashid Alvi on CBI's inquiry against TMC MP Mahua Moitra to investigate allegations of “bribe for query” for raising questions in Parliament, says "...This issue is related to the Parliament and only they can decide on this. CBI has nothing to do with it...This is revengeful. All this is done to create problems for Mahua Moitra. Since the BJP has come to power, ED, CBI and Income Tax have been working against the opposition..."

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar speaking in Munger says, "We went to the Central govt with a demand that there should be a caste-based census in the country but they did not listen to us. So, in Bihar, we went ahead and got it done with 9 other parties. Once we got it done, they said that only the Centre could conduct a census. We clarified that we have only done a survey. After the report was out, we said that we would record the economic condition of each and every family, whether it is the upper caste, backward class or extremely backward class, scheduled caste, tribe or any religion..."

NDMA emphasizes lengthy operation, shifts focus to vertical drilling

NDMA says 86 meters of vertical drilling needed to reach Silkyara tunnel's crust

NDMA says 47-meter drilling done so far, efforts on to retrieve broken part of auger machine

Conducted search operations under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002 at 18 locations in Lucknow, Varanasi, Allahabad, Mumbai, and Delhi on 24th November, in the case of Shine City Fraud. During the search operations various incriminating documents, digital devices and unaccounted cash and jewellery of Rs. 1.60 Crore (Cash of Rs. 95 lakhs, Jewellery worth Rs.65 lakhs) were recovered and seized: ED

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on pneumonia seen in children in China, says, "...WHO has discussed with China regarding the pneumonia that is seen in children. What we know is that China has cleared that there is nothing to worry about. When the news came out, our expert committee met to analyse the situation. Yesterday, I chaired a meeting with doctors from BME and DHS. Experts said that the approach chosen by us and China and other countries are slightly different...Such infections broke out in other countries earlier. This is what our health experts have analysed. We are still closely monitoring the situation. Our team is alert. They are viewing the situation."

Member of the National Disaster Management Authority, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) says, "Whatever methods we are using right now, we have to have some patience. We need to understand that a very difficult operation is going on. Two methods are being used currently, but a third method that is draft method may also be used soon. Currently, the situation is that the 47-meter digging has been done, we have to keep it stable and remove the broken part of the Auger machine...I feel in the next 1-2 days the drilling will again start. This operation may go longer and we need to boost the morale of the labourers and the family members..."

Member of the NDMA, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) says, "I feel everyone has their attention on this as to when this operation will be over, but you need to see that this operation is getting even more complex. We have never given you the timeline. I have experienced that when you do something with mountains, you cannot predict anything. This is exactly a situation like war..."

Vishan Chauhan, Member, NHAI says, "As we have reached 47 meters. We now have to go 12-15 meters more. It could be 10, 12 or 14 meters, that we have to go manually now...The environment impact assessment of this project has also been done. There are several things that cannot be predicted but our first priority is to rescue the workers..."

On India-Malaysia bilateral diplomatic relations, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia BN Reddy says, "... We are in the process of enhanced strategic partnership established during the visit of PM Modi in 2015... Malaysia has the second largest persons of Indian origin including Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Odia speaking populations... This provides a natural bridge for us to engage with Malaysia more deeply... The real sustenance with relation comes from the economic, trade and investment relations... We have a USD 20 billion dollar bilateral trade... We import palm oil, crude oil, and LNG from Malaysia... We had a joint commission meeting held in Delhi earlier this month between EAM and the Malaysian Foreign Minister in Delhi... Prior to that, we had the defence-level relay talks in Delhi to review the entire defence cooperation... Ever since, the new PM of Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim took office in November last year, we had 8 ministers and deputy ministers from Malaysia visit India, and we had 2 of our ministers come here will have soon... "

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "We are working on all the options possible to reach them (workers) & take them out..."

Dhami says, "Everyone is working- from the central government to the state government and all the agencies. Everyone is putting in their full efforts. PM Modi is concerned about the situation and the condition of the workers. We are expecting & hoping that the operation is completed as soon as possible..."

On Silkyara tunnel rescue operation, International Tunneling Expert, Arnold Dix says, "...We are looking at multiple options, but with each option, we are considering how do we make sure that 41 men come home safe and we don't hurt anyone...The mountain has again resisted the auger, so we are rethinking our approach...I am confident that the 41 men are coming home by Christmas...I have always promised that the workers will be home by Christmas."

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag says "...I have never seen a prime minister meeting the players of a team and motivating them after they lose a match. It was a great gesture by PM Modi to encourage our prayers and support them. This will help our players to perform well in the next World Cup...If the prime minister of a country meets the players and encourages them irrespective of the sport, whether it is cricket, hockey or football, it gives the players the confidence to perform well..."

Ahead of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks' anniversary, Karuna Thakur Waghela, who lost her husband in the attack, says, "That incident never went out of my head... Whatever the government will give, nothing can fulfil that loss... Still, the children and I cry, remembering him..."

International tunnel expert Arnold Dix voiced concerns on Saturday over the delayed rescue of trapped workers, emphasizing the irreparable breakdown of the auger machine. Dix highlighted the cessation of augering work, stating, "No more drilling from the Auger. There will not be a new auger."

In a significant development, tunneling expert Arnold Dix has declared the American auger machine irreparable, stating that it is now completely "finished." The dire prognosis has prompted a shift away from the use of augers, with no plans for a replacement. Alternative methods are currently under exploration as experts grapple with the challenges posed by the auger's demise in tunneling projects.

A well-equipped 41-bed hospital stands ready with immediate medical supplies and skilled doctors, ensuring swift medical attention once the trapped workers are successfully rescued from the collapsed tunnel.

Commencing November 27, Western Railway announces a 20-day suspension of Mumbai train services to install a girder for the ongoing Gokhale Bridge construction, connecting SV Road and Western Express Highway in Andheri.

The investigative panel disclosed a critical finding in the Silkyara tunnel collapse, exposing the absence of an emergency exit. This revelation led to the entrapment of 41 workers in the rubble.

Agencies report a significant breakthrough as the next 5-6 meters in the tunnel show no metallic obstructions, easing the drilling process. Approximately 10-12 meters of drilling remains, according to the latest updates.

With only 10 per cent of the tunnel remaining, manual drilling emerges as the final option for rescuing trapped workers. This method, albeit slower, becomes essential as machine drilling nears completion. The manual process may extend the rescue operation by an additional 18-24 hours.

The Chennai Meteorological Department has issued a thunderstorm warning for the next three hours in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions during this period.

Teams from SJVN and ONGC have reached the hill above the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi. The initiation of vertical drilling is imminent, pending the arrival of the drilling machine. This marks a crucial phase in the ongoing efforts to rescue the 41 workers trapped in the tunnel.

After multiple unsuccessful attempts, rescue teams are now opting for vertical drilling to evacuate trapped workers.

On Friday morning, the city experienced a shift to 'severe' air quality due to a combination of local emissions and unfavorable weather conditions hindering pollutant dispersal. The Air Quality Index (AQI) at 11 am was 405, escalating to 414 by 3 pm and further worsening to 422 by 7 pm. This marked the ninth consecutive day in November with 'severe' air quality. The city's average AQI, on a scale of 0 to 500, reached 415, compared to 390 the previous day, indicating a persistent decline in air quality levels.

President Joe Biden expressed optimism on Friday regarding the potential extension of the truce between Israel and Hamas. He also conveyed hope for the soon-to-be release of US citizens who were taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group. Biden commended US diplomacy for the truce and the recent release of 24 hostages, viewing it as a promising start with expectations for further releases in the coming days.

An official has said that manual drilling to reach the 41 trapped workers will start once the auger is removed from the pipeline. Today is the 14th day since the workers have been trapped in the Silkyara tunnel.

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, has formally filed a complaint against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of criminal intimidation and issuing threats during a recent political event. Adhikari, who switched political allegiance, cited a series of grievances, including what he claimed were vexatious and concocted cases against him since the shift. He alleges that Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress has consistently propagated ill will and hatred towards him and his political associates. The complaint adds a new dimension to the ongoing political tensions in West Bengal.

A team from Parsan Overseas Pvt Ltd Delhi, employing Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), conducted a survey at the Silkyara tunnel rescue site. The experts revealed that, up to a depth of 5 meters, no heavy objects were detected in the rescue tunnel where 41 workers remain trapped. GPR, a non-destructive technique, provided a subsurface cross-section profile without the need for drilling or ground disturbances. The findings contribute valuable insights to ongoing efforts aimed at safely evacuating the workers from the collapsed tunnel.

- November 12: Silkyara-Dandalgaon tunnel on Brahmkhal-Yamunotri highway collapses, trapping 41 workers.
- November 13: Contact established; rescue efforts by NDRF, SDRF, BRO, NHIDCL, ITBP begin.
- November 17: Drilling machine progress halted after fifth pipe hits obstacle; risk of collapse reported.
- November 19: Drilling suspended due to vibration concerns; Union minister Gadkari anticipates breakthrough.
- November 21: PM Modi reviews rescue, workers seen in video; alternative tunnel drilling initiated.
- November 22: Drilling hits iron rods hurdle; progress resumes after obstruction removal.
- November 23: Drilling progresses but halts due to platform cracks; resumed after iron obstruction removal.
- November 24: Drilling restarts, hits metal girder; rescue operation halted again.

On the thirteenth day of efforts to free 41 trapped workers in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel, rescue operations encountered a new obstacle. The auger drilling machine struck a metal girder in the evening, prompting another halt in the evacuation process. The setback adds to the challenges faced by rescue teams working tirelessly to create a passage for the workers trapped for nearly two weeks.