India uses giant drill to rescue 40 workers in tunnel

So far they have drilled 24 meters, or one-third of the required distance, said Devendra Patwal, a disaster management official.

Drilling machine rescues 40 workers trapped in jawbone image 1 — Tunnel collapse in India. Photo: AP

However, drilling was interrupted on Friday afternoon when some machine bearings were damaged due to broken rocks, said National Highways Authority Director Anshu Manish Khalko.

Another heavy-duty drill is being brought into the tunnel to continue drilling without interruption. It is expected to arrive on site on Saturday, Mr. Khalko said.

Rescuers had hoped to complete drilling by Friday evening and create an escape tunnel using pipes welded together.

He said some workers had been feeling feverish and aching since Wednesday, but their condition had not worsened. Nuts, roasted green beans, popcorn and medicine were being delivered to them through the pipeline every two hours.

Construction workers have been trapped since Sunday when a landslide caused a 4.5km section of the tunnel to collapse about 200 metres from the entrance. The mountainous area is prone to landslides and subsidence.

The site is located in Uttarakhand, a mountainous state dotted with Hindu temples that attract many pilgrims and tourists . Highway and building construction has been ongoing to meet the growing demand.

The tunnel is part of the Chardham Expressway, a flagship federal project connecting several Hindu pilgrimage sites.

Trung Kien (according to AP)

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