Current:Home > ScamsRescue of 41 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel in India reaches final stretch of digging-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Rescue of 41 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel in India reaches final stretch of digging
View Date:2024-12-25 00:30:40
NEW DELHI (AP) — The rescue of 41 construction workers trapped nearly two weeks in a collapsed tunnel in northern India has reached the final stretch of digging.
The drill that’s digging into the dirt and debris had made it through 44 meters (144 feet) out of approximately the 57 needed, Harpal Singh, a manager of another tunnel project who is helping with the rescue, told the Press Trust of India news agency late on Wednesday night.
Once they finish excavating the additional 13 meters (43 feet), the rescuers can insert and weld together pipes through which the workers can crawl to their freedom.
Singh said he hoped that the trapped workers would be rescued Thursday morning.
Rescuers resumed drilling horizontally through the entrance of the tunnel Wednesday after problems with the machine forced them to stop digging last week and consider alternate rescue plans.
The mountainous terrain in Uttarakhand state has proved a challenge to the drilling machine, which broke down as rescuers attempted to dig horizontally toward the trapped workers. The machine’s high-intensity vibrations also caused more debris to fall.
The workers have been trapped since Nov. 12, when a landslide caused a portion of the 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mile) tunnel they were building to collapse about 200 meters (650 feet) from the entrance.
On Wednesday evening, ambulances and a team of 15 doctors were deployed to the accident site, PTI reported.
Relatives who had gathered there told the news agency they were finally feeling optimistic, after days of anxiety and concern over the rescue and well-being of the workers.
Devashish, whose brother-in-law is among those stuck, said he spoke to him on Monday. “Sonu repeatedly told me not to worry now and that we would meet soon,” he said.
Authorities began supplying the trapped workers with hot meals, made of rice and lentils, through a 6-inch (15.24 cm) pipe earlier this week after days of them surviving off of dry food sent through a narrower pipe. Oxygen is being supplied to them through a separate pipe.
Officials on Tuesday released a video, after a camera was pushed through the pipe, showing the workers in their construction hats moving around the blocked tunnel while communicating with rescuers on the ground through walkie-talkies.
Uttarakhand is dotted with Hindu temples, and highway and building construction has been constant to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and tourists. The tunnel is part of the Chardham all-weather road, a flagship federal project connecting various Hindu pilgrimage sites.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget
- South Dakota voters asked to approve work requirement for Medicaid expansion
- Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' trial on involuntary manslaughter charge set for July
- Gabourey Sidibe Is Pregnant, Expecting Twins With Husband Brandon Frankel
- New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
- FDA warns against smartwatches, rings that claim to measure blood sugar without needles
- 2024 shortstop rankings: Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. is flying high
- Starbucks and Workers United, long at odds, say they’ll restart labor talks
- Dwayne Johnson Admits to Peeing in Bottles on Set After Behavior Controversy
- Jennifer Aniston forgets the iconic 'Rachel' haircut from 'Friends' in new Uber Eats ad
Ranking
- Love Actually Secrets That Will Be Perfect to You
- Monty Williams rips officials after 'worst call of season' costs Detroit Pistons; ref admits fault
- Letter containing white powder sent to Donald Trump Jr.'s home
- Reviewers Can't Stop Buying These 18 Products From Amazon Because They're So Darn Genius
- Charles Hanover: A Summary of the UK Stock Market in 2023
- She missed out on 'Mean Girls' 20 years ago — but Busy Philipps got a second chance
- How do you get lice? Here's who is most susceptible, and the truth about how it spreads
- Ferguson, Missouri, agrees to pay $4.5 million to settle ‘debtors’ prison’ lawsuit
Recommendation
-
How Jersey Shore's Sammi Sweetheart Giancola's Fiancé Justin May Supports Her on IVF Journey
-
Dr. Phil causes stir on 'The View' with criticism about COVID school shutdowns
-
Kristin Cavallari Debuts New Romance With Mark Estes
-
Brawl involving Cam Newton another reminder that adults too often ruin youth sports
-
Taylor Swift drops Christmas merchandise collection, including for 'Tortured Poets' era
-
Preparing for early retirement? Here are 3 questions to ask before you do.
-
Why USC quarterback Caleb Williams isn't throwing at NFL scouting combine this week
-
U.S. and U.K. conduct fourth round of joint airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen