‘We Are Safe’: Communication Established With 40 Trapped Workers in Uttarkashi Tunnel; Rescue Op Underway – News18

Communication was established with the 40 workers trapped inside the collapsed section of the under-construction tunnel on the Yamunotri national highway in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi in the wee hours of Monday. “We have been able to communicate with the 40 people who are trapped inside the tunnel. They have informed us that all of them are safe,” a rescue official said.

The relief and rescue work is underway on a war footing to save those trapped inside. A rescue official said they needed to drill 30-40 meters to to able to save them.

“We are moving ahead slowly. We have drilled 10 to 15 metres till now, but we still need to drill 30 to 40 metres (to rescue those who are trapped inside),” he said.

At least 40 workers from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are stuck inside the section of tunnel from Silkyara to Dandalgaon that collapsed on Sunday.

“Work is underway at a great speed. Everyone is working very hard…We were saddened yesterday because we weren’t able to communicate with those trapped. But then we were able to communicate with them,” said Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) jawan, Ranveer Singh Chauhan.

Oxygen is being pumped through a water pipe into the collapsed section of the under-construction tunnel so that trapped labourers do not have difficulty breathing. SDRF Inspector Jagdamba Bijalwan, who is heading the operation, earlier told Indian Express that the situation was not life-threatening.

“Oxygen supply is provided using temporary pipes, We are giving our best and making all possible efforts. As of now, the situation is under control and not life-threatening,” he said.

Speaking with ANI, Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police, Arpan Yaduvanshi on Saturday said, “In Silkyara Tunnel, a part of the tunnel has broken about 200 meters ahead of the starting point. According to the officials of HIDCL, which is looking after the construction work of the tunnel, about 36 people are trapped in the tunnel and efforts are being made to rescue them safely. The police force, NDRF and SDRF team are present at the spot. Till now no casualty has been reported. We will soon rescue all the people safely.”

Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police launched a search and rescue operation immediately after being informed of the accident, he added.