On Tuesday, the rescue workers attempted to make contact with the labourers through a walkie-talkie. The trapped workers were smiling in the video and stable state of mind. The workers were given a walkie-talkie through a 6-inch pipeline to allow them to communicate with the rescue team. One of the trapped victims has been identified as Saba, reported PTI.
The drilling machines, which will be used to dig a vertical shaft down into the collapsed tunnel, have reached the site.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | First visuals of the trapped workers emerge as the rescue team tries to establish contact with them. The endoscopic flexi camera reached the trapped workers. pic.twitter.com/5VBzSicR6A
— ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2023
A member of the family of a worker trapped in Silkyara tunnel told ANI, "We are hopeful but I will be satisfied once I get to speak to him."
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | A Member of the family of a worker trapped in Silkyara tunnel says, "We are hopeful but I will be satisfied once I get to speak to him."
First visuals of the trapped workers emerged this morning as an endoscopic flexi camera… pic.twitter.com/PURSsr1iWy
— ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2023
On Monday, officials said that the IAF airlifted 36 tonnes of critical equipment lending assistance to the ongoing operations. The rescue team began the work of laying the pipeline inside the Silkyara Tunnel on Monday as the work continued at night.
Officials made their first breakthrough on Monday only after they managed to install a 6-inch pipeline at the collapsed tunnel. This comes as International tunneling expert Arnold Dix, from the Geneva-based International Tunneling and Underground Space Association, joined the efforts to review and guide the operations.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel accident: The rescue team has started the work of laying the pipeline inside the Silkyara Tunnel
(Visuals from inside the tunnel) pic.twitter.com/U1R419HauM
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 21, 2023
Notably, the pipeline will be used for the supply of food, medicines, and other essential items to the workers.
"We have achieved our first breakthrough, for which we had been trying for the last nine days and was our first priority. A 6-inch pipe has been installed and they (trapped workers) can hear us through it. We will now provide them with food and medical supplies through that pipe," Anshu Mansish Khalkho, Director, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), said, as per PTI.
The Indian Air Force has also joined in the efforts as its C-17 and two C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft lifted 36 tonnes of critical equipment on Monday, reported PTI citing officials.
"#IAF assistance for the rescue operations at Uttarkashi continues unabated. Employing a C-17 and two C-130 J aircraft, the IAF airlifted another 36 tonnes of critical equipment today. IAF #HADROps will continue until all the equipment is delivered," the IAF shared on X, formerly Twitter.
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