November 21, 2023: The Silkyara tunnel collapse rescue team officials have successfully developed communication with the 41 trapped workers through the 6-inch pipeline on Tuesday morning. A video has been released by the team.

In the video, the rescue team was seen clearly talking to the workers trapped in the tunnel through the pipeline. The rescue team requested the workers to come in front of the endoscopic flexi camera which was inserted through the pipeline. A worker took out the camera from the pipeline and held it inside the confined space so that everyone could be identified. They were smiling in the video and stable state of mind.

The workers were provided with a walkie-talkie through a 6-inch pipeline so that they could communicate with the rescue team. Earlier, breakfast was also prepared for the workers trapped inside the tunnel. Khichdi was sent to the workers through this pipeline for the first time since the incident. The rescue teams also informed that food would be provided again.

The collapse occurred on November 12 during the construction of a tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot, trapping 41 labourers due to a muck fall in a 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel. The workers are believed to be trapped in a 2 km-built tunnel portion, which is complete with concrete work that provides safety to the workers. This portion of the tunnel has access to electricity and water.

According to officials, the rescue team on Monday evening however managed to lay a 6-inch pipe through which solid food and mobile chargers were sent inside the collapsed section. Multiple agencies are working on the rescue efforts with the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation limited (NHIDCL) teams continuing the drilling effort from the mouth of the tunnel.