Rescue work in Uttarakhand tunnel collapse put on hold after loud 'cracking sound' was heard
The Uttarakhand tunnel rescue work hit another roadblock Friday as the drilling operations were put on hold after 2:45 pm following a large cracking sound. A meeting of experts has been called.
The 40 workers have been trapped inside the 4.5-km Silkyara tunnel since Sunday morning when a part of the under-construction structure near Uttarkashi collapsed following a landslide.
"During the execution of the work at around 2:45 pm, a large scale cracking sound was heard by officials and the team working inside the tunnel and created a panic situation in the tunnel as well as to the team working," the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) said in a statement.
It said there's a "strong possibility that a further collapse may take place and accordingly pipe pushing activity has been stopped".
The rescuers need to drill up to 60 metres to insert 800 mm and 900 mm diameter pipes with the help of a giant drill machine to create an escape passage for the stranded workers.
"Positioning of the fifth pipe was under progress. It was reported that the machine was not able to push further as it was getting lifted and the bearings of the machine were damaged. It was planned to fix the machine by anchors to avoid uplifting. It was decided and agreed by the special agency executing the work that further pushing of the pipe will be feasible only if the machine is placed with the same inclination as the pipe," the statement said.
Elite rescue teams from Thailand and Norway, including the one that successfully rescued the trapped children from a cave in Thailand in 2018, have joined the rescuers to aid in the ongoing rescue operation.
The round-the-clock rescue work is being helmed by 165 personnel from multiple agencies, including NDRF, SDRF, BRO, and the ITBP.
Top Headlines
-
News
Donald Trump picks 'smart and tough' Pam Bondi as new US Attorney General after Matt Gaetz withdraws
November 22, 2024
-
News
Baba Siddique murder case: Arrested Akashdeep Gill used a labourer's hotspot to evade tracking, say police
November 22, 2024
-
News
Canadian government denies media report that claims PM Modi knew of Khalistani leader Nijjar's killing
November 22, 2024
-
News
Pakistan: 42 Shiites die after gunmen open fire on vehicle in Kurram
November 22, 2024
-
News
PE firm TA Associates' strategic investment in VeeHealthtek
November 19, 2024
-
News
Manipur unrest: Civil society sets 24-hr deadline for BJP MLAs to take 'decisive action'
November 19, 2024
-
News
Delhi chokes as air quality remains in 'severe plus' category amid curb on several daily activities
November 19, 2024
-
News
Keir Starmer meets Narendra Modi in Brazil, announces relaunch of UK-India free trade agreement talks
November 19, 2024
-
News
Tirumala trust asks non-Hindu staffers to retire or opt for transfer
November 19, 2024
-
News
Manipur's unabated violence kills 1 more in Jiribam, Amit Shah schedules meeting today
November 18, 2024