• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Tue, 28 Nov 2023 10:10 PM (IST)
  • Source:ANI
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Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue: All 41 workers who got trapped under the debris of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand on November 12 were successfully evacuated on Tuesday evening. The rescued workers were greeted by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami upon their exit from the tunnel. Several ambulances were rushed to the spot hours before the breakthrough was achieved. 

Rescued Workers Taken To Hospital

The rescue team started the process of sending the rescued workers to the hospital in ambulances shortly after their safe exit from the partially collapsed Silkyara tunnel. Dhami was seen personally monitoring the process as the workers were being taken to the hospital.

PM Modi Lauds Rescue Efforts

Following the safe evacuation of all 41 workers from under the debris of the partially collapsed tunnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his joy, saying the development was making everybody "emotional". He lauded the members of the rescue teams who toiled for 17 consecutive days to ensure the safe evacuation of the previously distressed labourers. 

"The success of the rescue operation of our labour brothers in Uttarkashi is making everyone emotional. I want to say to the friends who were 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, 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 in an X post.

"I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. Their bravery and determination have given new life to our labour brothers. Everyone involved in this mission has set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork," he added.

Dhami Thanks PM Modi For Support

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami held a press conference following the successful conclusion of the rescue operations wherein he thanked PM Modi for extending the necessary support for the evacuation of the stranded workers. He also lauded the efforts of the rescuers who were involved in the strenuous operation.

"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 anyhow.. without his support, this wouldn't have been possible. He spoke to me just now and instructed that medical check-ups of everyone must be done... and facilities must be done to take them to their homes," Dhami stated.

Final Stage Of Rescue Operations

The evacuation process apparently took considerably less time than had been anticipated by the officials overseeing the rescue operations. Earlier in the day, NDMA member Lieutenant General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain had stated, "It is estimated that it will take 3-5 minutes to evacuate each of the 41 persons. The entire evacuation is expected to take 3-4 hours. Three teams of NDRF will go inside the tunnel to organise the evacuation. SDRF will provde support. Paramedics will also go inside the tunnel at the time of evacuation."

The rescue efforts aimed at saving all the stranded labourers lasted for nearly 17 days. The final stage of the rescue operations saw 'rat hole miners' being deployed for manual mining after the auger machine that was being used for horizontal drilling broke down last week. Vertical drilling was being carried out as the second alternative, besides manual drilling, during the final stage of the rescue operations.

(With inputs from ANI)

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