The first visual contact with the 41 Indian workers trapped for 10 days in a collapsed road tunnel has been captured on camera. The exhausted and visibly anxious men, sporting thick beards, were revealed through an endoscopic camera as rescuers intensified efforts to create a new passageway for their escape.
The gripping footage depicts the trapped workers peering at the camera sent through a thin pipe, which serves as a lifeline for the delivery of air, food, and water. The harrowing ordeal has kept the men confined, prompting a determined response from rescuers to ensure their safety and successful extraction.
"We will bring you out safely, do not worry," reassures the voice of rescuers heard in the video, offering a glimmer of hope to the workers as they gather near the camera. The released video, shared by state authorities, provides a poignant glimpse into the challenging conditions faced by the trapped individuals and the ongoing efforts to secure their rescue.
As the rescue operation unfolds, the world remains attuned to the developments in this high-stakes mission. The commitment of rescuers and the resilience of the trapped workers underscore the human drama unfolding beneath the collapsed tunnel, highlighting the urgent need for a successful extraction.
The visual confirmation of the workers' presence amplifies the significance of the rescue mission, emphasizing the global community's collective hope for a positive outcome in the face of adversity.
"All the workers are completely safe", Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a statement. "We are trying with all our might to get them out safely soon."