41 trapped workers rescued from the Uttarakhand tunnel; PM Modi salutes the ‘spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation’

All 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand have been successfully rescued after 17 harrowing days. The trapped workers were evacuated within an hour, following which, they were sent to a makeshift hospital created for preliminary checkup and acclimatization before being rushed off to medical facilities.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the success of the rescue operation, saluting the ‘spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation.’ “The success of the rescue operation of our labor brothers in Uttarkashi is making everyone emotional. I want to say to the friends who were trapped in the tunnel that your courage and patience is inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health. It is a matter of great satisfaction that after a long wait these friends of ours will now meet their loved ones. The patience and courage that all these families have shown in this challenging time cannot be appreciated enough. I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. His bravery and determination have given new life to our labor brothers. Everyone involved in this mission has set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork,” posted PM Modi.

Expressing her relief over the safe and successful evacuation of the 41 trapped workers, President Draupadi Murmu congratulated the teams and all experts who ‘acted with incredible grit and determination to perform one of the most difficult rescue missions in history.’ “I feel relieved and happy to learn that all the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand have been rescued. Their travails over 17 days, as the rescue effort met with obstacles, have been a testament of human endurance. The nation salutes their resilience and remains grateful to them for building critical infrastructure, even at great personal risk, far away from their homes. I congratulate the teams and all experts who have acted with incredible grit and determination to perform one of the most difficult rescue missions in history,” posted the Hon'ble President of India on social media platform ‘X’.

The initial group of workers was carefully evacuated using adapted stretchers following a preliminary assessment by the National Disaster Relief Force personnel. In addition to the provision of a makeshift medical facility, comprehensive arrangements have been put in place for the rescue operation. A contingency plan includes the readiness of an Air Force Chinook helicopter to respond to any emergencies and a dedicated green corridor has been established to facilitate the swift transfer of the workers to a hospital located 35 kilometres away in Chinyalisaur. Medical professionals have confirmed that all the workers are in satisfactory health.

The Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand, which had collapsed, was successfully breached on Tuesday, after a team of skilled labourers known as "rat miners," commenced the process of manual drilling of the collapsed tunnel on Monday, following the removal of sections of the damaged auger machine from within the tunnel. “I removed the last rock. I could see them. Then I went to the other side. They hugged us, lifted us andthanked us for taking us out. We worked continuously in the last 24 hours. I can’t express my happiness. I have done it for my country…The respect they have given us, I can’t forget my whole life,” said Munna Qureshi, a ‘rat-miner’ to Hindustan Times.

Joyful celebrations broke out as residents shared sweets near the Silkyara tunnel in response to the successful rescue of trapped workers from the tunnel. The Uttarakhand tunnel collapsed and caved in on November 12, causing debris to block a 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara end and trapping 41 construction workers inside.