LIVE UPDATES
Indian rescue teams have achieved a significant milestone by laying the final section of the exit pipe in the desperate effort to reach 41 men who have been trapped in a collapsed road tunnel for a harrowing 17 days. Uttarakhand State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the completion of this vital phase, raising hopes for the imminent rescue of those marooned in the underground depths.
"The work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed," announced Chief Minister Dhami on Tuesday. This announcement follows intense and tireless efforts by rescue crews to navigate the challenging conditions within the collapsed tunnel.
The trapped workers, who have endured nearly three weeks of confinement, are now on the brink of liberation as the rescue teams prepare to execute the next phase of the operation. Chief Minister Dhami expressed confidence that the workers would be brought out of the tunnel "soon," signalling a collective sigh of relief for their families and well-wishers anxiously awaiting their safe return.
The race against time and the unpredictable conditions within the tunnel have added urgency to the rescue mission, with every step forward met with cautious optimism. The Indian authorities, alongside the dedicated rescue teams, are navigating the complexities of the operation with precision and determination, emphasizing the high stakes involved in freeing those trapped below ground.
As the world watches, the impending rescue is poised to bring a glimmer of hope to a situation fraught with tension, offering a testament to the resilience and coordination of the rescue teams involved in this challenging endeavour.
