Authorities have drilled 24 meters through debris and rubble, but it might take up to 60 meters for the workers to be rescued.
For over a week, 41 workers have been unable to be rescued from a collapsed tunnel in India. Officials are considering alternative rescue plans, as reported by Sarbaz.kz.
A new drilling machine has arrived at the site of the accident in the Uttarakhand state to replace the one damaged during the rock and debris collapse. They used the drill to create space for inserting wide pipes through which the trapped workers could crawl out to safety.
Authorities have drilled 24 meters through the debris and rubble, but it might take up to 60 meters for the workers to be rescued.
Officials on Sunday explored new ways to evacuate the workers. A government representative stated that this might involve using a new drilling machine from the top of the hill under which the workers are trapped inside the collapsed tunnel.
This method will require more time and may take an additional four to five days.
To recall, the tunnel collapse occurred on November 12 during the construction of a transport highway, Char Dham, in the Indian city of Uttarkashi. The local authorities reported the rescue operation would take at least another day.