Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:23am on 22 Nov 2023,Wednesday India
Officials said only 18 metres of rock separates rescuers from 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand's collapsed Silkyara tunnel, calling it "very happy news". Senior official Mahmood Ahmed revealed "drilling for 39 metres has been completed" to reach the workers estimated to be 57 metres underground. But welding pipes through the narrow path is time-consuming though drilling is faster. Ahmed said "Some big news may be received tonight or tomorrow morning" but warned the remaining section is most critical. Operations have been slow amid falling debris and machine breakdowns. After 11 days, workers are tantalisingly close to rescue teams but the final push is perilous. Officials remain hopeful of reaching trapped workers just 18 metres away after the last phase of painstaking, risky drilling efforts.
