41 Indian workers trapped in the tunnel collapse for 10 days were seen alive for the first time on November 21.

An Indian worker was trapped in a tunnel collapse. Photo: Network X Chief Minister of Uttarakhand state

On November 21, Indian officials released the first images of 41 workers trapped in a highway tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand state. All are safe, but look exhausted and worried.

“We will get you out safely, don’t worry,” rescuers told the helmeted men trapped inside as they gathered near the camera.

The first images of 41 trapped workers. Video: AFP

AFP said that excavators have been moving tons of soil, concrete and rubble from a tunnel under construction in Uttarakhand state, north of the Himalayas since November 12, after part of the tunnel collapsed.

However, rescue efforts were slow, complicated by falling debris as well as repeated breakdowns of key heavy drills, forcing the air force to fly in new equipment twice. by plane.

Before the camera was brought into the tunnel, rescuers contacted workers inside by radio.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said: “All the workers are completely safe. We are trying our best to get them out soon.’

Indian worker trapped in tunnel collapse. Photo: Network X Chief Minister of Uttarakhand state

Chief Minister Dhami said he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the rescue work. Prime Minister Modi instructed that getting the workers out must be the top priority.

Engineers tried to horizontally drill a section of steel pipe about 57 meters long that was filled with landslides and rocks. If drilling is successful, rescuers can open an escape route large enough for trapped workers.

But the giant earth drill encountered rocks that could not be drilled through. Therefore, drilling was suspended on November 17.

Rescue teams are currently preparing two new ways to reach stranded people.

The first way is to drill a vertical shaft from the hill above to a depth of about 89 meters – not a simple task.

The second way is to approach from the far side of the tunnel, a route more than 450 meters long.

The 41 Indian workers trapped in the tunnel collapse are all safe after 10 days. Photo: Network X Chief Minister of Uttarakhand state

The pipeline used to supply stranded workers was expanded on November 20 and cameras were brought down the pipeline.

Hot meals were also delivered through the new pipeline for the first time.

‘We delivered 24 bottles of food and bananas to the trapped workers,’ local official Abhishek Ruhela told AFP.

Experts have warned about the impact of widespread construction in Uttarakhand state, which is prone to landslides.

The 4.5km tunnel is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s infrastructure plan to cut travel times between some of the most popular locations, while improving access to strategic areas bordering China.

Foreign experts were dispatched, including Australian independent disaster investigator Arnold Dix, President of the International Tunneling and Space Association.

Mr. Dix told Press Trust of India that it is not known exactly when the 41 stranded workers will return home.