Rescue Efforts for Trapped Himalayan Tunnel Workers Enter Risky New Phase

After initial rescue attempts faltered, authorities are now attempting to drill downward through unstable mountain terrain, despite warnings from geologists about potential risks.

Rescue efforts to save 41 workers trapped in a collapsed Himalayan tunnel in India have entered a new phase, with rescuers attempting to drill downward through unstable mountain terrain after a safer route faltered at the final stage.
The men have been trapped since November 12 when the part of tunnel they were helping to construct in India’s northern Uttarakhand state gave way, blocking their only exit with more than 60 meters (200 feet) of broken rock, concrete and twisted metal.
Engineers had previously attempted to excavate the debris in the exit shaft but were forced to abandon efforts late on Friday after the powerful US-made drill they were using broke down just meters from the trapped men.
Authorities are now attempting to manually dig through the remaining debris in the exit tunnel while simultaneously drilling down from a forested hill some 86 meters (282 feet) above the trapped men.
Geologists have warned vertical drilling is fraught with risk and warned it could weaken the fragile mountain, causing more debris to fall into the already partially collapsed tunnel chamber.