Indian rescuers drilled two thirds of the way towards the 41 workers who are trapped in a road tunnel that collapsed 11 days agolocal authorities said Wednesday.
“I am very happy to report that 39 meters of drilling has been completed,” said Mahmood Ahmad, a Ministry of Roads and Railways official involved in the operations.
Rescue teams are working to pass a steel pipe through at least 57 meters of earth and rock that separate workers from freedom. The excavators have been remove tons of earth, concrete and debris of the tunnel under construction in the state of Uttarakhand, north of the Humalayas, since November 12, when A part of the tunnel collapsed.
At the entrance to the tunnel this Wednesday, sparks could be seen as workers welded sections of metal tubes, with the place surrounded by excavators and trucks, describes AFP.
“If there is no blockage, We hope to have good news tomorrow night.. This is very happy news for us, that now we are moving at a fast pace”Ahmad told reporters at the scene.
Rescue efforts have been slow and complicated by falling debris and repeated breakdowns of heavy, crucial drilling machines. Last week, a large drilling machine collided with rocks and drilling was suspended for more than three days.
Source: TSF
