Miraculous escape as 41 Indian workers defy death in Himalayan tunnel drama (video)
The 41 Indian workers who were trapped under a collapsed tunnel beneath the Himalayas were all rescued after a 17-day ordeal.
Trapped since November 12, the Indian workers faced a daunting ordeal when the tunnel, a part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Char Dham Highway project, crumbled, burying them under 60 metres of rubble. With their only exit blocked, a race against time commenced to break through the debris and ensure their survival.
The rescue mission was fraught with setbacks, from a breakdown of heavy machinery to the need for manual labour in treacherous conditions. Engineers initially used a drill, but when it failed, a simultaneous effort to drill downward through the unstable mountain terrain became the backup plan.
As the Indian workers emerged, cheers echoed through the Himalayan air. Video footage captured the emotional reunion between Pushkar Singh Dhami, chief minister of Uttarakhand state, and the jubilant survivors.
At a press conference, Dhami assured the public of the workers’ well-being.
“Since they have come out of a very different environment, we will follow the advice of the doctor. They will be monitored first. No one is critical.”
The rescued heroes will receive checks worth 100,000 rupees and a month’s respite with their families, reported CNN.
The 73 year old Indian PM expressed his emotional response, hailing the trapped men’s bravery and patience. He saluted the collective spirit of those involved in the rescue operation. The saga, according to Modi, exemplifies humanity and teamwork.
“Your bravery and patience are inspiring everyone.”
While the heroic rescue steals the spotlight, controversy looms over Modi’s Char Dham Highway project. Environmentalists argue that the heavy construction could harm the fragile Himalayan region. A 2020 report to India’s Supreme Court warned of landslides and soil erosion due to the highway’s construction.
Authorities are delving into the cause of the tunnel collapse. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of India faces scrutiny, raising questions about the safety of India’s rapid infrastructure transformation.
