A 17-day long operation comes to fruition as all of the Indian workers trapped in the collapsed Himalayan road tunnel were rescued successfully amid a joyful environment brimming with cheers.
The rescue operation, hailed as one of the most significant in recent years, involved a well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies in the challenging Himalayan terrain in India. It reminded of the Thai-cave story when a football team of youngsters was rescued after 10 days from a deep cave filled with water.
The trapped men, who had been stuck since the tunnel’s partial collapse on November 12, were hoisted through a 187-foot steel pipe on stretchers fitted with wheels. As they emerged, beaming with smiles, they were welcomed as heroes by state officials and joyously embraced by their families.
Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport, expressed complete relief and happiness, commending the concerted efforts of various agencies in executing the successful rescue. Crowds outside the tunnel echoed the sentiment, cheering, “Hail mother India!” upon learning that all workers had been safely rescued.
Relatives, who had endured anxiously as previous rescue attempts faced setbacks, celebrated the success.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the workers’ courage and patience, describing them as an inspiration to everyone. Uttarakhand state chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami credited the prayers of millions and the tireless work of rescue teams for the triumphant outcome.
The health of the rescued workers was reported to be fine, with a team of medics assessing them in a field hospital immediately upon their exit.
The rescue operation faced repeated setbacks, but military engineers and skilled miners persevered, resorting to hand-digging the final section using a “rat-hole” technique. Indian billionaire Anand Mahindra paid tribute to these unsung heroes who worked at the rock face, emphasizing that, despite sophisticated equipment, heroism often boils down to individual effort and sacrifice.
The jubilation extended beyond the immediate rescue, with families planning celebrations they had deferred due to the tunnel collapse.
