Successful Rescue Operation

All 41 Trapped Workers in Uttarakhand Tunnel Safely Evacuated

After a challenging 17-day ordeal, the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel of Uttarakhand were successfully rescued on Tuesday, concluding a strenuous operation by the rescue teams.

Being a rat miner from Delhi, Munna Qureshi earned the distinction of being the first to reach the other side.

"I cleared the final rock, revealing them. Moving to the other side proved difficult. They embraced us, lifted us, expressing gratitude for our rescue. We worked tirelessly over the last 24 hours. I can't convey my joy; I did it for my country," Munna Qureshi shared. "The profound respect from the trapped workers is unforgettable; it will stay with me for a lifetime," he conveyed to HT.

Before the initial evacuation, SDRF and NDRF personnel entered the tunnel with stretchers. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister VK Singh welcomed the workers. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed his relief on social media, thanking the agencies involved in the successful rescue of the 41 trapped laborers in the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse.

The collaborative efforts of multiple agencies in this well-coordinated operation stand out as one of the most significant rescue missions in recent years. Despite facing numerous challenges, various departments and agencies complemented each other. The relentless and sincere contributions, along with collective prayers, made this operation successful. The dedicated endeavors of the rescue teams have produced favorable results," he emphasized.

As trapped workers were being rescued from the Silkyara tunnel, locals celebrated by distributing sweets. The tunnel had partially collapsed on November 12, with debris blocking a 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara side and trapping 41 laborers inside the under-construction structure. (With Bureau inputs)