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."
The 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).
Prime 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.
Uttarakhand 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.
The 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.
In 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.
Rat-hole miners emerged as the heroes as they drilled with their hands to safely evacuate all 41 workers trapped in a collapsed Uttarakhand tunnel.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has praised the workers who were trapped inside Uttarkashi tunnel for 17 days.
Hope 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.
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.
The 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.
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.
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.
The 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.
The 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.
For 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
The Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation is inching towards success and final preparations are now being made for the trapped workers to be brought out.
The 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.
The 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.
A temporary medical facility has been set up inside the tunnel. After evacuating the trapped workers, health training will be done at this place.
The 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.
Arnold Dox was seen performing rituals with a priest at a small temple set up by the locals outside the tunnel.
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.
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.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami informs that the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed.
- 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.