Forty-one workers emerged from the grim depths of a collapsed road tunnel in Uttarkashi on Tuesday evening, bringing the curtain down on a daring but painstaking operation that spanned 17 anxious days and multiple heartbreaks but eventually stood as a testament to the endurance of the human spirit, and the perseverance and skill of intrepid rescuers.
Twelve “rat-hole miners” burrowed through a wall of rock, mud and debris with hand-held tools in the final breakthrough on Tuesday, as the country heaved a collective sigh of relief. Hours later, disaster relief personnel pulled out the workers — exhausted and shaken but beaming, and in visibly good spirits — on wheeled stretchers through a 57-metre-long steel chute inserted into the cavernous tunnel between Silkyara and Barkot on a highway that is part of the Char Dham project.
Scenes of jubilation played out at the mouth of the tunnel that collapsed on November 12 as drained relatives of the trapped workers beamed, hugging their loved ones as they were wheeled out. The rescued men were welcomed as heroes with wild cheers and marigold garlands, as officials greeted them after 422 harrowing hours spent inside the tunnel.
“Finally, God heard us. My brother could be rescued. I am with him in an ambulance on the way to hospital,” said Sunil, a resident of Jharkhand, his voice choked with emotion.
The first worker was retrieved at 7.45pm, marking a success in the marathon first-of-its-kind operation where hopes of a rescue were repeatedly dashed due to the fresh collapse of debris and machine breakdown. But the relief personnel continued to make strenuous progress, refusing to be stymied by the cascading volley of challenges before them.
Union minister VK Singh and Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed the workers as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) men brought them out.
この記事は Hindustan Times の November 29, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Hindustan Times の November 29, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Aamir-Ajay off-screen reunion makes fans ask for Ishq 2
When actors Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn reunited at an event on Saturday, it left their fans nostalgic.
Blissful Bebo in Saif haven!
Kareena Kapoor Khan is back in the bay from her Diwali holiday in the Maldives, and on Saturday, the actor shared some stunning pictures of sun-kissed beaches and sun-tanned skin from her dreamy getaway with her boys – actor-husband Saif Ali Khan and sons, Taimur and Jeh.
FAKE TICKETS, SCALPING STRIKE A SOUR NOTE
Ahead of some big international gigs in India, we talk to artists and organisers about the rising threat of fake ticketing and black marketeering
He always had a smile on his face: Ssudeep Sahir delves into memories of Nitin Chauhaan
Actor Ssudeep Sahir, one of the first to confirm the tragic passing of his Tera Yaar Hoon Main co-star Nitin Chauhaan, is in a state of shock after the incident. Chauhaan, 35, was found dead in his Mumbai flat on Friday. He allegedly died by suicide.
MCSWEENEY TO OPEN, INGLIS HANDED FIRST TEST CALL UP FOR BGT OPENER
Uncapped Nathan McSweeney won the race to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against India while Australia also handed a maiden Test call up to Josh Inglis on Sunday.
Pakistan win 1st ODI series Down Under since 2002
Saim Ayub hit 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37 as Pakistan raced to a commanding eight-wicket victory and their first one-day series win in Australia for 22 years on Sunday.
Jagan Kumar, the 11-time national motorcycle champion, quits racing
NEW DELHI: It has been an emotional time for Jagan Kumar, the illustrious rider who decided to roll his bike into the garage for good after dominating Indian circuits for around 15 years.
A rivalry and new momentum
Sabalenka-Swiatek battle for the top promises an exciting year in women's tennis
Varun's fifer in vain, Stubbs scripts a sensational chase
South Africa level series 1-1, beating India by three wickets in the second T20I at Gqeberha
Chelsea, Arsenal in 1-1 draw; United win
Chelsea and Arsenal shared the spoils in a tense and at times bruising 1-1 battle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, keeping the London sides level in the Premier League, but still nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool.