1. First visuals emerge of 41 workers trapped in Uttarkashi tunnel collapse.
2. Images captured using an endoscopic camera sent through a food pipeline.
3. Rescuers successfully deliver food and gain live footage of the trapped workers.
Dehradun, Nov 21: The first visuals of the 41 workers trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, have surfaced. These images were captured using an endoscopic camera that was sent through an alternative six-inch-wide food pipeline.
The rescuers successfully pushed this pipeline through the debris on Monday, enabling the delivery of more substantial amounts of food and providing live images of the workers who have been trapped for over a week.
सिल्क्यारा, उत्तरकाशी में निर्माणाधीन टनल में फँसे श्रमिकों की पहली बार तस्वीर प्राप्त हुई है। सभी श्रमिक भाई पूरी तरह सुरक्षित हैं, हम उन्हें शीघ्र सकुशल बाहर निकालने हेतु पूरी ताक़त के साथ प्रयासरत हैं। pic.twitter.com/OO8u99B5Ks
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 21, 2023
In the footage, workers wearing yellow and white helmets are visible, receiving food items through the pipeline and engaging in conversations with each other. Anshu Manish Khalkho, the Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), had previously outlined the plan to use cameras for monitoring the workers’ conditions.
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The current utilization of the camera involves counting the number of trapped workers and gaining insights into the internal layout of the tunnel. This development is a significant step forward in the ongoing rescue efforts to extract the workers safely from the collapsed tunnel.
सिलक्यारा, उत्तरकाशी में निर्माणाधीन सुरंग के अंदर फँसे श्रमिकों से पहली बार एंडोस्कोपिक फ्लेक्सी कैमरे के माध्यम से बातचीत कर उनका कुशलक्षेम पूछा गया। सभी श्रमिक बंधु पूरी तरह सुरक्षित हैं। pic.twitter.com/vcr28EHx8g
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 21, 2023
The situation began when the Silkyara tunnel, which is a part of the all-weather Char Dham road project, collapsed, trapping the workers inside. The rescue operation has been challenging due to the remote location and the difficulty in accessing the trapped individuals. The use of an endoscopic camera through the food pipeline offers a glimpse into the condition of the workers and aids in planning the rescue strategy.
The collaborative efforts of rescue teams, including the NHIDCL, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and other agencies, are focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of those trapped. Continuous updates and the deployment of innovative solutions, such as the endoscopic camera, reflect the commitment to a swift and effective rescue operation.
