41 workers trapped in India’s collapsed Silkyara tunnel rescued after 17 days

An ambulance transports survivors following the rescue of construction workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in the Himalayas in India (Image: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters)

All 41 construction workers trapped in a tunnel in India’s Uttarakhand state after it partially collapsed have been rescued.

The workers were trapped inside the 4.5km-long Silkyara tunnel running between Silkyara and Dandalgaon, part of the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway, when a landslide on 12 November caused a portion of it to collapse.

They were eventually wheeled out on stretchers yesterday (28 November) through a 90cm-diameter pipe that was inserted through the wall of debris blocking their escape.

The workers were taken to the nearby Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre for medical check-ups.