India plans to drill a vertical tunnel to rescue 41 trapped workers

Rescue workers are clearing the road above for rescue drilling.

AFP news agency reported on November 19 that rescue forces in India are considering drilling a vertical tunnel to rescue 41 trapped workers, after horizontal digging stopped due to concerns of further tunnel collapse.

Excavators have removed earth, concrete and rubble from a tunnel under construction in Uttarakhand state after a section of the tunnel with workers inside collapsed.

Rescue efforts were slowed by falling debris, as well as repeated breakdowns of key heavy drilling machines, forcing the air force to airlift new spare parts twice.

Officials said drilling through tons of debris was halted late on November 17 after a cracking sound created a “state of panic.” The government-owned highways and infrastructure company NHIDCL said operations were then halted due to the possibility of further collapses.

Relatives of those trapped spoke by walkie-talkie and said conditions were dire and victims were distraught. "They were in tears... they started asking if we were lying about the rescue efforts being made," said one unnamed relative.

Bhaskar Khulbe, a senior official involved in the rescue effort, said the team was considering digging a completely new tunnel and trying to rescue the workers from above. He said there was no shortage of resources and options.

The official said rescuers were looking at a timeframe of "up to four to five days" to free the workers, but did not provide further details.

Preparations are underway to drill a vertical hole from the top of the hill, PTI news agency reported. Rescuers are continuing to communicate with the trapped workers by walkie-talkie, while food, water, oxygen and medicines have also been delivered through a 15cm wide pipeline.

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