In dramatic scenes, the first men emerged on stretchers from the entrance of the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel after an rescue effort that had lasted for more than 400 hours.
The workers were pulled out through an escape pipe after the last stretch of rubble had been manually drilled by a specialist team of "rathole mining" experts flown in after the mechanical drill broke down. Rat-hole mining-a primitive method of extracting coal through very small tunnels is outlawed in India owing to its high risk, but the practice remains common in some states.
The first labourer was brought out at about 8pm local time yesterday. Ambulances and helicopters were on standby at the tunnel entrance to take the men to a hospital nearby. Garlands of flowers were placed around the men as they emerged, many beaming widely, and a freshly cooked meal of aloo gobi, roti, dal and rice awaited them outside the tunnel.
Munna Qureshi, one of the rat-hole mining experts, described the emotional moment when they finally broke through the wall of debris. "I removed the last rock and I could see them," he told Indian media. "They hugged us, lifted us up and thanked us for taking us out. We worked continuously in the last 24 hours. I can't express my happiness. I have done it for my country."
India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, called the operation an "amazing example of humanity and teamwork".
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin November 29, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin November 29, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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