Rescuers in the India tunnel collapse adapt their strategy as their desperate attempts approach the week-mark.

Emergency response teams in India are now in their seventh day of efforts to rescue 40 construction workers trapped underground since Sunday in a partially collapsed highway tunnel in Uttarakhand, a northern state. Rescue teams have been drilling non-stop to reach the workers, having acquired a high-powered drilling machine last Thursday. However, the unstable mountain terrain poses a risk of further debris falls, complicating the rescue.

Anshu Manish Khalkho, director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), informed the media of the “pause-and-go” approach being adopted to maintain safety. Despite continuous efforts, the rescue operation was paused overnight from Friday to Saturday, as indicated by social media videos showing halted drilling activity.

Khalkho reported that about 25 meters (82 feet) of the tunnel have been drilled, which is roughly one-third of the distance to the trapped workers. The rescuers are facing a 60-meter debris barrier, and pipes approximately 900 millimeters in diameter have been inserted into the drilled section to create an escape route. These pipes are being welded together to extend the passage beyond the collapsed area.

The mission’s complexity is heightened by the fragile nature of the terrain, affected by drilling vibrations. Khalkho reassured that the workers are receiving essential supplies like food, water, and oxygen through a smaller pipe, and communication is maintained via walkie-talkies. However, some workers are showing signs of illness, such as vomiting and headaches. Additionally, a backup drilling machine from Indore city in Madhya Pradesh is being airlifted to the site to aid in the rescue, especially after the initial drilling machine broke on Friday.

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has stated that the rescue operation is proceeding as planned, with NHIDCL engineers and experts working tirelessly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation, and a special team from his office has been dispatched to the site. This tunnel is a part of Modi’s Himalayan Char Dham Highway project, a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity in Uttarakhand and improving access to key pilgrimage sites.