Trapped Inside Tunnel for Over 130 hours in Himachal

Three labourers have been trapped for more than 130 hours inside a tunnel that collapsed on Saturday night near the hill town of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Efforts to rescue them looked promising on Friday after workers were able to contact two of the men.

Images on digital camera were the first proof that the men were alive. They also communicated through microphones. It is not known whether the third man survived.

Oxygen, water and food are being given to the survivors through holes dug through by rescue workers, guided by disaster response teams and road experts.

The tunnel is being built as part of a highway project. Most of the men working on it were able to come out safely when a part of it suddenly collapsed.

Falling debris has been setting back the men who are drilling their way towards the trapped workers; the men are likely to be brought out within 24 hours, officials say.

“Boring from the vertical end was made to facilitate supply of food and water to the trapped, the labourers were given water after the contact was established with them,” said Manasi Sahay Thakur, a senior official.

Besides water, the men are being given dry fruits and glucose biscuits.