Tunnel drama: Rescuers separated from workers by just a few meters
There are signs of great progress in the rescue operations for the 41 trapped workers in a tunnel in India. Only around three meters separated the helpers from the men trapped in the mountain, the local television station NDTV reported on Tuesday, citing rescue workers. It is hoped that they will be rescued soon, it said. Ambulances were waiting outside the tunnel, as video footage showed.
The workers have been stuck for 17 days in a 4.5-kilometer-long highway tunnel that partially collapsed after a landslide during construction work. They are supplied with food, water, oxygen and medication via narrow pipes. They also have a telephone connection so that they can stay in contact with their waiting relatives.
The plan for the rescue operation is to push a pipe into the rubble through which the trapped people can get out. So far, however, the helpers have had to contend with ever new obstacles, such as defective machines, which have delayed the work. Most recently, a large drilling machine broke down after it had previously made it several dozen meters into the mountain. In the meantime, the rescue workers are using smaller tools to penetrate the mountain and laboriously remove the rubble.
The site of the accident is near the small town of Uttarkashi. The region is known for its many Hindu temples and is a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination. The tunnel was intended to improve transport links there.
Following the challenges faced during the rescue operation, it's crucial to have emergency protocols in place for dealing with potential accidents related to traffic when such operations are underway. Moreover, the presence of ambulances outside the tunnel suggests that they are prepared for any unexpected emergencies that may arise.
Source: www.dpa.com
