Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: In a major breakthrough and sigh of relief, the evacuation of trapped workers from the Silkyara tunnel site in Uttarkashi has been completed as all 41 labourers have been brought out of the collapsed tunnel. The workers were trapped inside the under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand for the last 17 days when it collapsed on November 12 after a landslide.
The rescued workers were received by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Minister of State (MoS) General (retired) VK Singh, among other officials.
The workers were rescued in a batch of four people. Soon after they were brought out of the tunnel, labourers were shifted to ambulances parked at the rescue operation site.
They are being rushed to a hospital around 30 kms from the tunnel site and will be kept on observation for 48-72 hours to make sure they are physically and mentally fit. Arrangements at the hospital where rescued workers are being shifted have been made in advance and the entire operation is being monitored by PMO.
DG Information Banshidhar Tiwari said, "All the workers have been rescued, they are safe and doctors did their check-up..."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the rescue operation in Uttarakhand to save 41 workers is an amazing example of humanity and teamwork.
"I am extremely happy that the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel have been successfully rescued. All the agencies under the leadership of PMO have worked day and night. I want to extend my best wishes to the workers who have been rescued. I also want to thank the workers who have helped in the rescue operation. A safety audit of the tunnel will also be done now...," said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Take a look at the latest visuals from the rescue site.
More to follow...
