Timeline of the various challenges faced by the evacuation teams and the evolving strategies deployed to free the trapped workers since the tunnel collapse at dawn on Diwali
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Uttarakhand Tunnel NewsNovember 12 | Day 1- Portion of tunnel collapses around 6am, trapping 41 workers
- Rescue operation starts, involving shotcreting of loose structures and excavation of debris over 57 metres
Day 2- 4-inch supply lifeline established to provide dry ration and maintain oxygen supply
- First communication with workers Shotcreting stops due to falling debris, injuring 2 workers
Day 3 Drilling begins with locally sourced auger machine to create escape passage through debris
Day 4 - Drilling work halts due to slow performance of auger machine
- Advanced American auger machine airlifted from Delhi
Day 5 - American machine starts drilling 900mm pipes into debris
- Workers protest against the slow pace of rescue operation
Day 6 - Auger machine faces problems, cannot drill beyond 22 meters into debris
- Cracking sounds trigger fears of further collapse; drilling suspended
Day 7 - PMO team reaches tunnel to review the operation
- Decision to pursue multiple options simultaneously, including vertical drilling and creating escape channels
Day 8 - Union minister Nitin Gadkari visits tunnel, meets family members of trapped workers
- Rescue agencies pursue groundwork for a ?ve-pronged strategy
Day 9 - Major breakthrough: Additional supply lifeline with 6-inch pipe established
- Australian tunnel expert Arnold Dix arrives at tunnel
Day 10 First visuals of trapped workers emerge via endoscopic camera pushed through pipe
Day 11 - Drilled significantly, pushing escape passage pipes 45 meters into debris
- Trapped workers get first hot meals
- Auger machine hits iron girder
Day 12 - Metal obstacle that stopped drilling cleared
- Auger machine resumes boring, but can only drill 1.8 meters more before hitting another hard object
Day 13 Change in strategy to mixed approach: Workers remove debris manually to make way for auger machine
Day 14 US-made auger machine blades hit metal obstacle, get entangled in rubble
Day 15 Army personnel (Madras Sappers regiment) brought in to remove auger blades from pipe
Day 16 ‘Rat-hole’ miners, specialised in small tunnel burrowing, manually dig through debris
November 28 | Day 17 - At 1.10pm, miners achieve crucial breakthrough 7.12pm: NDRF team and doctors enter 800mm pipe to reach trapped workers
- 7.28pm: First trapped worker, Vijay Horo, wheeled out on stretcher through pipe. All the trapped workers pulled out safely soon after.
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