<h5>When were the tunnel workers rescued?</h5><p>On 12th November 2023, 41 tunnel workers were trapped after an under-construction tunnel (Silkyara-Barkot tunnel) in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.newsahoot.com/articles/uttarakhand-tunnel-collapse-rescue-operations-ongoing">Uttarakhand</a> collapsed. For 17 days, the rescue teams tried hard to get the trapped workers out. Thankfully, the rescue operations were successful. All 41 workers were pulled out safely on 28th November 2023.</p><p>The families of the trapped workers felt a big relief after the successful rescue operation. After being rescued, the workers underwent health checkups at a temporary medical facility. Later, they were sent to hospitals in ambulances.</p><p>Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that each worker will receive Rs 1 lakh monetary assistance. He also stated that plans are being made to provide them with medical treatment. Arnold Dix, a famous tunnelling expert, also helped out during the rescue operation.</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <video width="100%" controls=""> <source src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/uttarakhand-tunnel-workers-rescued%2FTunnel%203.mp4?alt=media&amp;token=0f83c1cf-0f16-47aa-becf-ba16e4671422" type="video/mp4"> </video> <figcaption>Video showing the rescue. Video by ANI.</figcaption> </figure></div><h5>How was the rescue operation carried out?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/uttarakhand-tunnel-workers-rescued%2FTunnel%202.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=f6e796b6-5e8d-46dc-9f4b-b79851449acb"><figcaption>An image showing how the workers were rescued. Photo by BBC.</figcaption></figure><p>After the workers were trapped inside the tunnel, rescue teams tried to clear around 60 metres of rock and metal debris that stood between the men and the tunnel opening. The plan was to build a horizontal escape route using pipes that the trapped workers could use to crawl out. Having to cut through metal rods in the debris and loose soil delayed rescue efforts.</p><p>Last week, the machine being used for horizontal drilling also failed. When this occurred, two dozen "rat-hole" miners were brought in to drill and clear a path to the trapped workers. The rat hole miners used handheld tools to clear the last few metres of debris. The tunnel was then entered by rescue teams equipped with ropes, ladders, and wheeled stretchers to rescue the men inside.</p><p>The workers were extracted through a passageway built using welded pipes. For the past few days, the trapped workers were being provided with food and oxygen using narrow steel pipes. Officials claim that all 41 workers are in good health.</p><h5>What is rat hole mining?</h5><p>Rat-hole mining is a manual drilling technique. This technique is typically used to extract coal and is very dangerous. Narrow pits are dug into the ground by workers. These pits are only large enough for one person to go down and extract coal. That’s why it's known as “rat hole mining.”</p><p>This method can cause the death of miners from a lack of food and oxygen. That’s why it has been banned in many countries, including India. This banned drilling technique, however, did help save the lives of all the workers trapped in the collapsed tunnel.</p><h5>What did the workers do while they were trapped?</h5><p>According to several reports, the construction workers trapped inside the tunnel passed their time by playing Ludo on their phones, going on daily walks, practising Yoga, and talking to each other to keep their morale up.</p><p>When they finally got out after 17 days, they were greeted with wild cheers, flower garlands, and even firecrackers. The workers are all very grateful to the government and the people who carried out the rescue operation.</p>

The trapped workers were rescued on 28th November 2023.

Uttarakhand Tunnel Workers Rescued

Collect 150 Hootcoins.

Rules About Who Can Become a Doctor Changed

Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse: Rescue Operations Ongoing

PM Modi-Featured Song Nominated for Grammy

Uttarakhand Tunnel Workers Rescued

Collect 150 Hootcoins.

Did you read these articles?

Rules About Who Can Become a Doctor Changed

Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse: Rescue Operations Ongoing

PM Modi-Featured Song Nominated for Grammy