Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation Live Updates: Workers were pulled out on wheeled stretchers
Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation Live Updates:
All the forty-one workers who were trapped inside Uttarakhand’s Silkyari tunnel since November 12 were evacuated safely today. The rescued workers were draped in orange marigold flower garlands and were greeted by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister VK Singh.
The trapped workers were pulled out through 57 metres of steel pipe on stretchers fitted with wheels.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in praising the courage and patience of the trapped workers and their families and the bravery and determination of the rescue personnel.
“The success of the rescue operation of our labourer brothers in Uttarkashi is making everyone emotional. I want to say to those trapped in the tunnel that your courage and patience are inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health. It is a matter of great satisfaction that after a long wait, our friends will now meet their loved ones. The patience and courage these families have shown in this challenging time cannot be appreciated enough,” he wrote on X.
On November 12, a section of the tunnel between 205 and 260 metres from the Silkyara side collapsed. Workers who were beyond the 260-metre mark were trapped, with their exit blocked.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation:
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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the Uttarakhand government will provide financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to each all the workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel.
“Apart from this, complete arrangements will be made for their treatment in the hospital till going home,” he said.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has thanked everyone involved in the tunnel rescue operation. Speaking to reporters, he also said that PM Narendra Modi was constantly in touch with him and was taking updates of the rescue operation.
“He (PM Modi) gave me the duty to rescue everyone safely anyhow…Without his support, this wouldn’t have been possible,” Mr Dhami said.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, ” I want to thank all the members who were part of this rescue operation…PM Modi was constantly in touch with me and was taking updates of the rescue op. He gave me the duty to rescue everyone safely… pic.twitter.com/TldZLK6QEB
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
President Droupadi Murmu has said that she “feels relieved” that 41 workers have been rescued from the Uttarkashi tunnel.
“I feel relieved and happy to learn that all the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand have been rescued. Their travails over 17 days, as the rescue effort met with obstacles, have been a testament of human endurance,” she posted on X.
“The nation salutes their resilience and remains grateful to them for building critical infrastructure, even at great personal risk, far away from their homes,” President Murmu said and congratulated the teams and all experts who “acted with incredible grit and determination” to perform “one of the most difficult rescue missions” in history.
I feel relieved and happy to learn that all the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand have been rescued. Their travails over 17 days, as the rescue effort met with obstacles, have been a testament of human endurance. The nation salutes their resilience and remains grateful…
– President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 28, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it is a “matter of great satisfaction” that all the trapped workers were safely evacuated from the Uttarakhand tunnel.
In a post on X in Hindi, he also told his “friends” who were trapped in the tunnel that their “courage and patience” is inspiring everyone.
“It is a matter of great satisfaction that after a long wait these friends of ours will now meet their loved ones. The patience and courage that all these families have shown in this challenging time cannot be appreciated enough,” he said.
“I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation…Everyone involved in this mission have set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork,” Prime Minister Modi wrote.
उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है।
टनल में जो साथी फंसे हुए थे, उनसे मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आपका साहस और धैर्य हर किसी को प्रेरित कर रहा है। मैं आप सभी की कुशलता और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य की कामना करता हूं।
यह अत्यंत…
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2023
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that it is a “victory of patience, hard work and faith” after all the 41 trapped workers were rescued from the Uttarkashi tunnel.
He also shared a video on X, in which he can be seen with the rescued workers.
धैर्य, परिश्रम एवं आस्था की हुई जीत। pic.twitter.com/bF4hupYDMa
– Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that he is “completely relieved and happy” as 41 trapped workers in the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse were successfully rescued.
“This was a well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies, marking one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years. Various departments and agencies complemented each other despite facing numerous challenges. Tireless and sincere efforts by everyone, coupled with prayers from all, have made this operation possible. The dedicated endeavors of the rescue teams have yielded favorable results,” he said.
He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for constantly monitoring the entire operation and “providing guidance and support whenever required”.
सिल्क्यारा टनल बचाव कार्य में शामिल सभी का धन्यवाद। #SilkyaraTunnelRescuepic.twitter.com/H8r0JsRELY
– Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) November 28, 2023
All the 41 workers trapped inside a Uttarkashi tunnel have now been safely rescued. They have now been taken into ambulances for further health check-ups.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | Ambulances leave from the Silkyara tunnel site as all the workers trapped inside the tunnel since November 12 have been successfully rescued. pic.twitter.com/fJJ4Jfc3vw
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
More pictures of workers rescued from the Uttarakhand tunnel.
Uttarkakhand Tunnel Rescue Operation Live Updates: 35 Workers Evacuated Safely Now
35 workers have so far been rescued from the tunnel. Just six more workers remain inside the tunnel now.
After over 400 hours, 33 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand have now been safely rescued.
Initial health checkup of all the evacuated workers is being done in the temporary medical camp built in the tunnel, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said today. On his official X account, he also posted a picture with one of the rescued workers.
सिलक्यारा टनल में फंसे श्रमिक भाइयों को बाहर निकालने का कार्य प्रारंभ हो चुका है। अभी तक 8 श्रमिकों को रेस्क्यू कर लिया गया है।
सभी श्रमिकों का प्रारंभिक स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण टनल में बने अस्थाई मेडिकल कैंप में किया जा रहा है। pic.twitter.com/GlkD36HKRD
– Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation Live Updates: 18 Workers Evacuated Safely Now
18 of the 41 workers have so far been evacuated from the Uttarkashi tunnel.
As trapped workers are being rescued from the tunnel, locals distribute sweets to people outside the Silkyara tunnel.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: Locals distribute sweets outside Silkyara tunnel as trapped workers are being rescued from the tunnel pic.twitter.com/oASZAy8unf
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
“We Are Celebrating Diwali Again”: Locals As Trapped Workers Rescued
Local people who have gathered near the Uttarakhand tunnel site are saying that they are “celebrating Diwali again”, minutes after several trapped workers were rescued after 17 days.
Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation: 15 Workers Now Evacuated
As many as 15 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12 have now been successfully rescued.
Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation Live Updates: 10 Workers Evacuated Safely
10 workers have now been evacuated safely from the Uttarkashi tunnel.
Third of the 41 trapped workers has now been brought out from the collapsed Silkyara tunnel.
Two workers evacuated safely. Evacuation of more workers currently underway.
#WATCH | The first worker among the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12, has been successfully rescued. pic.twitter.com/Tbelpwq3Tz
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the preparations have started to evacuate the workers safely.
“There has been great success in the ongoing rescue operation in Silkyara tunnel. The work of pushing pipe has been done across the debris. Now preparations have started to evacuate the workers safely,” he said on his official X account.
Mr Dhami also shared pictures, standing next to Union Minister VK Singh, looking at the ongoing rescue operations on a pearpoint controller.
सिलक्यारा टनल में चल रहे रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन में बड़ी सफलता मिली है, पाइप पुशिंग का कार्य मलबे के आर-पार हो चुका है। अब श्रमिकों को सुरक्षित बाहर निकालने की तैयारी शुरू कर दी गई है। pic.twitter.com/wCMZrWSRSn
– Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
The pipe has reached the place where the workers are trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel and the evacuation of workers may begin shortly, the news agency ANI reported.
NDMA Member Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) has said that it may take the entire night to finish the ongoing rescue operation to evacuate the trapped workers.
“According to me, it may take the entire night to complete this operation,” he told the news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Member, NDMA, says “…According to me, it will take the entire night to complete this operation…” pic.twitter.com/IBGV7YS5xp
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
As a breakthrough is expected soon in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operations, families of the trapped workers are now preparing to welcome them home.
The mother of one of the workers told NDTV that she would make “kheer” for her son when he returns.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been monitoring and taking regular updates on the well-being of two workers from the Kokrajhar district, who are among the 41 trapped inside an Uttarkashi tunnel, his office said today.
“Two persons from District Kokrajhar, Assam have been trapped in the Uttarakhand Tunnel. For the last 16 days, HCM Dr @himantabiswa has been constantly monitoring the well-being of the workers and the families in Assam,” Assam CMO posted on X.
“Principal Secretary to HCM through DC (Kokrajhar) have been in regular contact with the respective families and authorities in Uttarakhand. We are eagerly awaiting their safe and healthy return,” it added.
Two persons from District Kokrajhar, Assam have been trapped in the Uttarakhand Tunnel. Since the last 16 days, HCM Dr @himantabiswa has been constantly monitoring the well-being of the workers the families in Assam.
Principal Secretary to HCM through DC (Kokrajhar) have been… pic.twitter.com/XG1jtWZuMA
– Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) November 28, 2023
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that she has rushed a team to Uttarkashi for helping Bengal workers trapped in the tunnel.
“The team, led by Rajdeep Dutta, Liaison Officer, Office of Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, will help evacuation and safe return of the trapped workers in the tunnel at Silkyara, Uttarkashi to their homes in West Bengal,” she said in a tweet.
Three workers from West Bengal — Manir Talukdar, Sevik Pakhera and Jaidev Pramanik — have been trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi.
Have rushed a team to Uttarkashi for helping our people. The team, led by Rajdeep Dutta, Liaison Officer, Office of Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, will help evacuation and safe return of the trapped workers in the tunnel at Silkyara, Uttarkashi to their homes in West Bengal….
– Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 28, 2023
Rishikesh AIIMS is on alert for medical services as tunnel rescue operations entered final stage today.
A 41-bed ward has been set up in the hospital. A team of cardiac and psychiatric specialist doctors and a trauma surgeon is also present in the hospital.
Workers in critical condition will reportedly be airlifted to Rishikesh AIIMS.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) Tunnel rescue: Rishikesh AIIMS on alert mode for medical services. A 41-bed ward including trauma center ready. A team of cardiac and psychiatric specialist doctors including trauma surgeon ready. Three helicopters can be landed simultaneously at… pic.twitter.com/Xesrf1zc6u
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Sweets being distributed to the family members of Anil Bedia, one of the workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel.
#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: As the rescue operations enter final stage, sweets being distributed among the family members of Anil Bedia, one of the workers who is trapped in the Silkyara tunnel pic.twitter.com/fkLLj6SLEI
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
There are around 15 workers from Jharkhand trapped in the tunnel.
Taking one trapped worker out of the tunnel will take around five minutes, NDMA member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said. At a press conference, he also said that rescuing all 41 workers would take around 3-4 hours.
He also said that three NDRF teams consisting 12 members will go inside the tunnel to rescue the trapped workers.
NDMA member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain also said that pipes have been pushed in and two more metres are needed to reach the trapped workers.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain today said that the rescuers are “near breakthrough but not yet there”.
Speaking at a media briefing in Delhi, he said that the workers trapped inside the tunnel have conveyed they could hear the rescue operation work.
Uttarakhand | Latest picture of Uttarkashi Tunnel rescue operation that is underway to rescue the 41 trapped workers pic.twitter.com/PSF7jWcXNo
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
As the Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation enters the final stretch, the food for the trapped workers will be sent along with the ambulances.
“Aloo gobhi, roti, dal and rice is being sent for the trapped workers,” Vikas Rana, Assistant HR at the company constructing the tunnel, told the news agency PTI.
A temporary medical facility has been set up inside the tunnel. After evacuating the trapped workers, health training will be done at this place.
A team of doctors and experts are also present at the makeshift medical facility.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | Due to the rescue operation, a temporary medical facility has been expanded inside the tunnel. After evacuating the trapped workers, health training will be done at this place. In case of any problem, 8 beds are arranged by the health… pic.twitter.com/ehAXzwd5dV
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
“We are thankful to God and the rescuers who worked hard to save them,” Naiyer Ahmad, whose younger brother Sabah Ahmad is among the trapped workers, told the news agency AFP.
Naiyer has been camping at the site for over two weeks now.
Sudhansu Shah, who has also been camping out since shortly after the November 12 tunnel collapse waiting for his younger brother Sonu Shah, said relatives had started to celebrate.
“We are really hopeful and happy,” he said.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel will now pull out the trapped workers one by one with the help of wheeled stretchers tied to ropes.
The workers will lie upon low-height, wheeled stretchers and NDRF personnel will pull them out one after another using ropes, officials had said a few days back.
Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Silkyara and conducted on-site inspection of the ongoing rescue operations.
आज प्रातः सिलक्यारा पहुंचकर टनल में चल रहे रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन का स्थलीय निरीक्षण किया। श्रमिकों को बाहर निकालने हेतु 52 मीटर तक पाइप पुश किया जा चुका हैं।
इस दौरान टनल में फंसे श्रमिकों का कुशलक्षेम जाना और चिकित्सकों को श्रमिक भाइयों से निरंतर संपर्क में रहने के निर्देश दिए। सभी… pic.twitter.com/beR3j3A7mS
– Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
Arnold Dox was seen performing rituals with a priest at a small temple set up by the locals outside the tunnel.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | International Tunneling Expert, Arnold Dix joins a priest in praying for the safe evacuation of 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel. pic.twitter.com/8DZH95SN8x
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
The relatives of the trapped workers waiting for their return at the tunnel gate.
As rescuers move closer to trapped workers, garlands have been brought to the Uttarakhand tunnel site.
#WATCH | Garlands brought to Silkyara tunnel rescue site in anticipation of early rescue of 41 trapped workers#Uttarakhandpic.twitter.com/71opSj1sKt
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
#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
On November 12, a section of tunnel between 205 and 260 metres from the Silkyara side collapsed. Workers who were beyond the 260-metre mark were trapped, with their exit blocked. Fortunately for them, the part of the tunnel where they are stuck has power and water supply. While government authorities have maintained that a detailed probe will reveal what led to the collapse, multiple theories are floating around. One of them is that a landslide in the fragile Himalayan region led to the collapse. Several experts have pointed out how hasty development in the ecologically sensitive region was responsible for the incident.
Preparations complete at Community Health Center Chinyalisaur for the treatment of 41 workers who will be brought here after they are rescued and brought out of Silkyara tunnel.
Union Minister General VK Singh (Retd), former advisor of PMO Bhaskar Khulbe and former Engineer-In-Chief and BRO DG Lieutenant General Harpal Singh (Retd) come out of the Silkyara tunnel.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Latest drone visuals show the latest status of the operation to rescue the 41 workers trapped inside Silkyara tunnel.
Uttarakhand CM tweets, “…work of inserting the pipe inside the tunnel is complete. All the workers will be… pic.twitter.com/vaiDRAnybC
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Latest drone visuals show the latest status of the operation to rescue the 41 workers trapped inside Silkyara tunnel.
Uttarakhand CM tweets, “…work of inserting the pipe inside the tunnel is complete. All the workers will be… pic.twitter.com/vaiDRAnybC
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami arrives at the site of Silkyara tunnel rescue.
He tweets, “…work of inserting the pipe inside the tunnel is complete. All the workers will be rescued soon.” pic.twitter.com/KUMWuUiRqb
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Pipe-laying work to reach 41 workers trapped in the Silkyari tunnel in Uttarakhand for 17 days has been completed, Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami posted on X Tuesday afternoon. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, and medical professionals, are now on standby to enter the tunnel and work their way into the collapsed cavern to assess the condition of the trapped men and begin the process of bringing them out.
“As a result of immense grace of Baba Baukh Nagji (and) prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of all rescue teams… the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed. Soon all the labourer brothers will be taken out,” Mr Dhami posted on X.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami informs that the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed.
बाबा बौख नाग जी की असीम कृपा, करोड़ों देशवासियों की प्रार्थना एवं रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन में लगे सभी बचाव दलों के अथक परिश्रम के फलस्वरूप श्रमिकों को बाहर निकालने के लिए टनल में पाइप डालने का कार्य पूरा हो चुका है। शीघ्र ही सभी श्रमिक भाइयों को बाहर निकाल लिया जाएगा।
– Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | The ambulance went inside the Silkyara tunnel comes out now.
As per the latest update, the pipe has been inserted up to 55.3 metres and one more pipe has to be welded and pushed in. pic.twitter.com/7YZxV1rCIm
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | An ambulance being taken inside the tunnel. As per the latest update, pipe has been inserted up to 55.3 metres. pic.twitter.com/ULnuwq2RrS
– ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Nodal Officer for the Silkyara rescue operation and Secretary to the Uttarakhand government, Neeraj Khairwal informed that if there are no more hurdles, the rescuers are anticipating an early evacuation of the trapped labourers.
He said, “As of now, we have pushed 55.3 metres of the pipe. This includes clearing of the rubble as well as laying the pipe. Only a little more distance remains. It might be somewhere between 57-59 metres.”
“It might take a few more hours if there are no more hurdles. By evening we are hoping. Let’s pray and hope for the best,” he added.
The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in 2014 for being unscientific, but the practice continues to be rampant. Several accidents have resulted in deaths of rat-hole miners in the Northeastern state. In 2018, 15 men involved in illegal mining were trapped inside a flooded mine. Only two bodies could be recovered in the course of the rescue operation that lasted for more than two months. Another such accident took place in 2021 when five miners were trapped in a flooded mine. Three bodies were found before rescue teams called off the operation after a month. Add to this the environmental pollution caused by this method.
Rat-hole mining is a method of extracting coal by digging very small pits, not more than 4 feet wide. Once the miners reach the coal seam, tunnels are made sideways to extract the coal. The coal brought out is dumped nearby and later transported via highways. In rat-hole mining, workers enter the mines and use hand-held tools to dig. This is the most common method of mining in Meghalaya, where the coal seam is very thin and any other method risks being economically unviable. The small size of the tunnels make children the best fit for the hazardous job, and in a state that has limited options for livelihood, many line up for the risky job. Many children also pose as adults to get work in such mines.
Rat-hole mining to rescue the trapped workers began yesterday after a 25-tonne auger machine failed in the last leg of the challenging operation. This method of manual drilling has made quick progress and the diggers are now metres away from the workers who have been confined for 17 days.
- A team of 24 seasoned “rat-hole mining” experts are involved in the manual drilling process and excavate a narrow passageway toward the trapped workers.
- This time-consuming task will involve removing debris and creating a safe route for the rescue operation. The workers are just 5 metres away from the rescue team.
- Manual drilling operations began at the tunnel yesterday.
- Initial drilling efforts were conducted using a large auger machine that got stuck in the rubble on Friday, prompting authorities to look for alternative methods – vertical drilling from above the tunnel.
- Approximately 40% of the required 86-metre vertical drilling has been completed.
