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 Highlights on the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation:
: After the successful evacuation of all 41 workers who were trapped inside Uttarakhand's Silkyari tunnel for 17 days, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed gratitude to all those who were behind the rescue operation.
He also praised the determination of those trapped people who suffered such adversity without giving up hope.
Taking on his social media X, EAM Jaishankar stated, "We will leave no stone unturned to protect our own. Heartfelt gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped in the tunnel. Commend the grit and determination of those who faced such adversity without giving up hope."
Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue: "Exceeded Expectation": Rescue Op Chief To NDTV On Uttarakhand RescueThe rat miners who made the breakthrough in Uttarakhand, digging the last 12 metre stretch in less than 24 hours, had "beaten expectations," said Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority).
PM Modi Speaks To Workers Rescued From Uttarakhand Tunnel Over PhonePrime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to workers, who were rescued from the collapsed tunnel after 17 days, over the phone after the operation was declared a success.
All Of 41 Workers Rescued From Tunnel Are Fit: Uttarakhand Chief MinisterUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today said none of the 41 labourers rescued from an under-construction road tunnel in Uttarkashi district was in a critical condition.
Uttarakhand Tunnel News: How Border Roads Organisation Aided The Himalayan Rescue OpThe much-awaited breakthrough and the rescue of the 41 workers trapped in the Silkiyara Tunnel since November 12 has moved the focus back on the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) - the resilient force behind the Himalayan operation.
"Finally, God Heard Us": Families Of Workers Rescued From Uttarkashi TunnelIn Khirabeda, relief and happiness writ large on the faces of the family members of three workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand after the news of their rescue reached this nondescript village on the outskirts of Ranchi.
Uttarakhand Tunnel News: "They Hugged Us," Say Rat-Hole Miners On Meeting Trapped WorkersRat-hole miners emerged as the heroes as they drilled with their hands to safely evacuate all 41 workers trapped in a collapsed Uttarakhand tunnel.
"No Tunnel Is...": Anand Mahindra After 41 Workers Rescued From Uttarakhand TunnelMahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has praised the workers who were trapped inside Uttarkashi tunnel for 17 days.
#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
Uttarakhand Tunnel News: Smiles, Sigh Of Relief As Workers Out Of Tunnel After 17 Days. See PicsHope has finally won after 17 days. Workers trapped in Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel were brought out today evening, ending the 17-day marathon operation, and bringing a huge relief to the country.
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
उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है।
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2023
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...
धैर्य, परिश्रम एवं आस्था की हुई जीत। pic.twitter.com/bF4hupYDMa
- Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
सिल्क्यारा टनल बचाव कार्य में शामिल सभी का धन्यवाद। #SilkyaraTunnelRescue pic.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
Uttarakhan Tunnel Rescue Ops: Pushkar Dhami, Minister VK Singh Greet Rescued Workers With GarlandsThe workers were pulled out from the collapsed portion of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi after 17 days.
More pictures of workers rescued from the Uttarakhand tunnel.
35 workers have so far been rescued from the tunnel. Just six more workers remain inside the tunnel now.
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।
- Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
सभी श्रमिकों का प्रारंभिक स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण टनल में बने अस्थाई मेडिकल कैंप में किया जा रहा है। pic.twitter.com/GlkD36HKRD
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
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.
As many as 15 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12 have now been successfully rescued.
10 workers have now been evacuated safely from the Uttarkashi 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
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
Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Live: Chinook Chopper, On Stand-By In Uttarakhand, Used In 2021 Tunnel Collapse TooThe Indian Air Force has deployed the twin-rotor heavy lift Chinook helicopter on standby at an airstrip in Uttarakhand's Chinyalisaur, where an emergency medical centre has been set up to treat the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel.
#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
Uttarkhashi Tunnel Rescue Live: Chinook Chopper On Standby For Trapped Workers, But Won't Fly TonightThe Indian Air Force has stationed a Chinook helicopter - a twin-rotor heavy-lift chopper - at the airstrip in Uttarakhand's Chinyalisaur, where an emergency medical centre has been set up to treat the 41 workers trapped underground in the Silkyara tunnel.
"Won't Believe Until...": Families Of Trapped Workers Have Fingers CrossedFor the past 17 days, TV cameras have been pointed at the entry to the Uttarakhand tunnel, where 41 workers were trapped following a collapse. Away from the crosshairs, their families have been trapped in a tunnel where hope fought despair
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.
- Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) November 28, 2023
Principal Secretary to HCM through DC (Kokrajhar) have been... pic.twitter.com/XG1jtWZuMA
Uttarakhand Tunnel Live: Rescue Ops Enter Final Stage, Here's What Comes NextThe Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation is inching towards success and final preparations are now being made for the trapped workers to be brought out.
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
Uttarakhand Tunnel Workers May Experience "Insomnia, Bad Dreams, Anxiety": DoctorThe 41 Indian construction workers trapped in a collapsed highway tunnel for 17 days will need long-term support after their rescue, including monitoring for post-traumatic stress disorder, officials said on Tuesday.
Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Live: Tunnel Rescue Official Was Told Rat-Hole Mining Is Illegal. Watch His ResponseThe rat-hole mining technique, which was outlawed in 2014, was used to clear the last few meters in the operation to rescue 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand.
#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
There are around 15 workers from Jharkhand trapped in the 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
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
A temporary medical facility has been set up inside the tunnel. After evacuating the trapped workers, health training will be done at this place.
#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
Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Operation Live: "Keep Bags Ready", Workers' Families Told As Tunnel Op Reaches Final StretchThe relatives of the 41 workers have been asked to "be prepared" as rescuers are about to bring them out.
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।
- Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
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
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#Uttarakhand pic.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
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.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Latest drone visuals show the latest status of the operation to rescue the 41 workers trapped inside Silkyara tunnel.
- ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Uttarakhand CM tweets, "...work of inserting the pipe inside the tunnel is complete. All the workers will be... pic.twitter.com/vaiDRAnybC
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Latest drone visuals show the latest status of the operation to rescue the 41 workers trapped inside Silkyara tunnel.
- ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Uttarakhand CM tweets, "...work of inserting the pipe inside the tunnel is complete. All the workers will be... pic.twitter.com/vaiDRAnybC
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami arrives at the site of Silkyara tunnel rescue.
- ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
He tweets, "...work of inserting the pipe inside the tunnel is complete. All the workers will be rescued soon." pic.twitter.com/KUMWuUiRqb
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.
- ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
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
#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
Trapped Tunnel Workers Just 3 Metres Away As Rescuers Dig Through Rubble - @NEETAS11 gives in details
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 28, 2023
Read more: https://t.co/ftSwfOLxvo pic.twitter.com/phjT6QiqwK
- 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.
