Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates: Big breakthrough in tunnel rescue; 41 workers to be out soon

16:18 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Food being sent for trapped workers along with ambulances 

A representative of the tunnel's construction business, Navayuga Engineering Business Limited, based in Hyderabad, said today that food was being sent with the ambulances to the besieged workers.  

"The ambulance is being sent, along with food (for the trapped workers). The menu for today includes rice, dal, roti, and aloo gobhi, according to Vikas Rana, Assistant HR of Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, located in Hyderabad. 

16:01 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

What next for 41 trapped workers?

Workers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel for the last 16 days appear to be getting some respite shortly, with officials edging closer to a key breakthrough on Tuesday.

While all efforts are being made to preserve lives, officials are also guaranteeing adequate post-evacuation treatment.

The workers would most likely be transferred to Dehradun or the district hospital, depending on the situation.

The authorities are also prepared to give workers with mental health care.

The official also stated that the workers may suffer psychological damage as a result of being trapped in a small location for an extended period of time.

15:56 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Medical staff arrives at Silkyara tunnel as rescue op close to completion

The medical team was seen arriving at the scene this afternoon, as the rescue mission to free the 41 workers trapped within the collapsed Silkyara tunnel nears completion.

On Tuesday, rescue teams bore through a 60-metre length of rubble from the collapsed Silkyara tunnel, where 41 workers have been trapped for the past 16 days.

VIDEO | Uttarkarshi tunnel collapse UPDATE: Medical staff arrives at Silkyara tunnel as rescue operation reaches its final phase.#UttarakhandTunnelRescue pic.twitter.com/O4meku0zuB— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

15:54 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Timeline of how conventional manual drilling began to be used as a last resort

• Workers in the Silkyara tunnel were caught behind a 60m debris wall.
• The Augur machine had been damaged and had to be removed by cutting.
• Vertical drilling began simultaneously from the top of the mountain.
• In place of the augur machine, manual  horizontal drilling for the rescue started yesterday.

15:51 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Seems wait will be over today: Father of worker trapped in Silkyara tunnel

It seems the long wait will be over today, said Chaudhry, hoping that rescuers drilling through the rubble at the partially collapsed Silkyara tunnel here will within a few hours reach his son and the other 40 workers trapped inside it for over two weeks.

Waiting at the tunnel site to see his 22-year-old son Manjit, Chaudhry, a resident of Lakhimpur Khiri in Uttar Pradesh, said, Officials have told us evacuation of workers is likely. We have been asked to keep our clothes and belongings ready."

15:46 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

NDRF personnel expected to enter steel chute pushed into the drilled passage & bring out the workers one by one

On Tuesday, rescue teams bore through a 60-metre length of rubble from the collapsed Silkyara tunnel, where 41 workers have been trapped for the past 16 days.

Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are anticipated to enter the steel chute that has been slid into the drilled channel over the previous few days and then carry out the workers one by one.

According to the practise, each worker will lie down on a wheeled stretcher that will be brought outside by rescue crews using ropes. This should take roughly two or three hours.

15:37 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

‘17 days since my son has been trapped,’ says mother of one of the 41 workers

#WATCH | Khirabera village, Ranchi | Mother of a worker who is trapped in the Silkyara tunnel says, "It has been 17 days since my son has been trapped. I will be happy when my son arrives I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes..." pic.twitter.com/WP8mcPP8yO— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

15:36 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

'Will be relieved only after meeting them,' says relative of one of the 41 workers

VIDEO | "We have been waiting here for last two weeks. We will be relieved only after meeting them," says a relative of one of the 41 workers trapped inside the #SilkyaraTunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand as rescue operation enters the final phase. #UttarakhandTunnelRescue… pic.twitter.com/kmpCJ8YstG— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

15:34 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Beds, chairs kept ready inside Silkyara Tunnel

Beds and chairs have been prepared inside the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi, as 41 workers who have been confined for the past 16 days are expected to emerge shortly.

PHOTO | Beds, chairs kept ready inside #SilkyaraTunnel, Uttarkashi as 41 workers, trapped since last 16 days, are expected to come out anytime soon.#UttarakhandTunnelRescue pic.twitter.com/UF57yncByE— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

15:26 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Rescuers break through Silkyara tunnel rubble

On Tuesday, rescue personnel burst through a 60-metre section of rubble in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel, ending the misery of 41 labourers who had been trapped underground for 16 days.

Drilling was completed, according to a top Uttarakhand official on the scene.

When reporters questioned him, NHIDCL managing director Mahmood Ahmed stated the last portion of the escape pipe was being pushed through the drilled tunnel.

On November 12, a section of the tunnel collapsed, trapping exit 41 workers within.

15:25 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

41 workers to be sent to Community Health Centre Chinyalisaur for medical care

After exiting the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, the 41 workers would be sent to Community Health Centre Chinyalisaur for medical care.

#WATCH | The 41 workers who are awaiting rescue will be brought to Community Health Center Chinyalisaur for medical treatment after they walk out of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi pic.twitter.com/x3a4mwmqkS— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

15:22 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Family members eagerly awaiting return

"We are happy that they will be rescued soon," said family members of the stranded workers who are scheduled to be freed shortly from the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi. "We will welcome them in a nice way. We had told them that the rescue team would reach them soon."

15:16 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Garlands brought to Silkyara tunnel rescue

In hopes of saving the 41 trapped personnel as soon as possible, garlands were brought to the Silkyara tunnel rescue site.

#WATCH | Garlands brought to Silkyara tunnel rescue site in anticipation of early rescue of 41 trapped workers#Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/71opSj1sKt— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

15:13 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

International tunnelling expert offers prayers at a temple outside Silkyara tunnel

VIDEO | Uttarkarshi tunnel collapse UPDATE: International tunneling expert Arnold Dix offered prayers at a temple outside Silkyara tunnel for safety of trapped workers earlier today.#UttarakhandTunnelRescue pic.twitter.com/FFz0H1Z9n2— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

15:09 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Final portion of exit pipe laid

Officials announced Tuesday that rescue workers have built the final portion of escape pipe needed to reach 41 men who had been stranded in a collapsed road tunnel for 17 days.

15:08 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Ambulances, disaster relief forces on alert

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Several ambulances enter the Silkyara tunnel. NDRF, SDRF and several other agencies continue to be at the spot. pic.twitter.com/qwbZIjFjcj— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

14:54 (IST)

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates

Pipe laying work completed, evacuation soon says CM Dhami

The pipe laying work inside the Silkyara tunnel, where efforts to rescue 41 trapped workers are continuing, has been concluded, according to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

"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," CM Dhami said in a post on X.

During a news conference earlier today, Neeraj Khairwal, the Nodal Officer for the Silkyara rescue mission and Secretary to the Uttarakhand government, stated that if no more obstacles arise, the rescuers anticipate an early extraction of the trapped labourers.