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India: Rescuers dig by hand to reach workers in tunnel
Deutsche Welle
26 Nov 2023, 17:08
With 41 workers still trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India, rescuers were forced to dig by hand after their drilling machine broke. A new machine has also been brought in to try and dig vertically instead.
Rescuers attempting to free 41 workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in India were forced to dig by hand on Saturday after their drilling machine failed.
Part of the Silkyara tunnel in the mountainous Indian state of Uttarakhand collapsed on November 12.
Rescuers were attempting to drill horizontally through 57 meters (187 feet) of rock and concrete when their machine ran into metal rods and construction vehicles that were buried in the earth.
This caused the drilling machine, known as an auger, to become damaged just nine meters away from the trapped workers.
"The machine is busted. It is irreparable," Arnold Dix, an international expert assisting with the rescue, told reporters at the site.
"The mountain has once again resisted the auger."
'We will proceed manually'
Government officials said workers would attempt to cut through the final nine meters using hand-held power tools.
"We will proceed manually," Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told reporters.
Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority which is overseeing rescue efforts, said the operation was becoming "more complex" and the process would become slower, compared to when the auger was used to drill.
"We have to strengthen our brothers stuck inside. We need to monitor their psychological state, because this operation can go on for a very long time," he added.Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority which is overseeing rescue efforts, said the operation was becoming "more complex" and the process would become slower, compared to when the auger was used to drill.
"We have to strengthen our brothers stuck inside. We need to monitor their psychological state, because this operation can go on for a very long time," he added.
Second machine brought in to dig vertically
Rescuers have also hatched an alternative plan to reach the survivors from above.
A new machine was brought in on Saturday and taken to the top of the hill via a specially-created track.
However, this dig would be almost double the length of the horizontal dig and is a risky route in an area that has already suffered a collapse.
Workers 'in good spirits'
The workers trapped inside the tunnel have been supplied hot meals of rice and lentils through a 15-centimeter pipe.
Oxygen is being supplied through a separate pipe, and a team of doctors including psychiatrists are monitoring their health from outside the tunnel.
"They are in good spirits," said Rharm, the Uttarakhand chief minister.
"They said: 'Take as many days as you require, don't worry about us.'"
Many of the trapped workers are laborers from other parts of the country.
Their families have traveled to the accident site and camped outside for days to receive updates about their wellbeing.
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Sustainability Focus: The initiative prioritizes environmental responsibility by addressing the sector’s carbon footprint and water usage. Efforts include waste management improvements, energy-efficient equipment, and water conservation through rainwater harvesting and modern irrigation techniques.
Value Addition: To boost farmer income and cater to rising consumer demand, White Revolution 2.0 emphasizes the production of value-added dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and fortified products. This diversification aims to increase profit margins while reducing farmers' vulnerability to market fluctuations.
Empowering Farmers: The cooperative model remains at the heart of this revolution. Government programs are helping small farmers access modern practices, financial support, and digital platforms that link them directly to markets.
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Kadi police inspector Prahladsin Vaghela stated, "At the time of the incident, the workers were digging a 16-foot deep pit for a tank in Jaslpur village. The fire service, police, and teams of workers conducted a rescue operation for nearly two hours, after which nine bodies were recovered from the mound of soil. During this time, one person was rescued alive."
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Indian politician Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai on Saturday. The 66-year-old lawmaker was formerly a minister in the western state of Maharashtra and was known for his lavish parties. Siddique was shot several times in the chest outside his son's office, local media reported. It comes weeks out from state elections slated to be held in November.
Investigation underway
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Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Pakistan today, October 15, to attend a meeting of the regional bloc, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). During his visit, Jaishankar will join a dinner hosted by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
This visit marks the first by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan since 2015, when then-Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj attended a conference in Islamabad focused on Afghanistan. In 2016, then-Home Minister Rajnath Singh traveled to Islamabad for a SAARC meeting, which was the last time India participated in a multilateral event held in Pakistan.
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Though the official itinerary spans two days, Jaishankar’s actual stay in Pakistan will last less than 24 hours. Indian diplomats view this visit as a smart and strategic move by the Modi government. Recently, Jaishankar remarked that India seeks normal relations with Pakistan, just like with any other neighbor—but not at the cost of tolerating terrorism.
New Delhi emphasized that Jaishankar’s visit is rooted in India’s commitment to the SCO, sending a message that it prioritizes multilateral diplomacy over bilateral conflicts.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that no bilateral meeting between the two nations has been requested. "We have not received any request from the Indian Foreign Ministry, nor have we made any such request," Dar stated. However, as per protocol, Jaishankar will be welcomed along with other foreign dignitaries.
To ensure security for the SCO summit, Islamabad has implemented a lockdown and declared a three-day public holiday in Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi. Section 144 has also been imposed in five districts to maintain order during the event.
