Rescuers continue operation after tunnel collapse in India

Rescuers are working to bring cooked food and establish telephone connections to those trapped since the tunnel collapsed on November 12. They are safe and have access to light, oxygen, dry food, drinking water and medicine, which rescuers have delivered through a pipeline. Authorities hope to establish a second pipeline to bring cooked food to those trapped. So far, the authorities have completed two-thirds of the pipeline.

Speaking to reporters on November 19, India's Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari stressed that the priority now is to save the lives of those trapped in the tunnel. The authorities will bring essential supplies to them through a second tunnel. He said authorities are also considering setting up a telephone connection to help the trapped workers talk to their loved ones.

Rescuers are studying five options to rescue those trapped in the tunnel after the operation was suspended on November 18 due to a malfunctioning drilling machine and the risk of further landslides. The pace of the rescue operation has also slowed as rocks continue to fall. According to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), which is building the tunnel, a sudden crack late on November 17 caused panic in the tunnel, as well as concerns that the roof might collapse.

The 4.5km tunnel is being built between Silkyara and Dandalgaon to connect the two holiest Hindu temples of Uttarkashi and Yamunotri. About 50-60 people were working at the time of the collapse. Those near the tunnel entrance escaped. Authorities did not say what caused the collapse, but the area is prone to landslides, earthquakes and floods. The Indian government said it used environmentally friendly techniques in the design to ensure safety on geologically unstable sections of the road.