First images of construction workers trapped in Indian cave

AFPEOne of the construction workers trapped in the cave

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 10:04

The construction workers who have been stuck in a cave in India for nine days have been captured on camera for the first time. Emergency services managed to push a camera through one of the pipes. The images show that all the men are still alive.

The group of 41 men have been trapped in the cave in the state of Uttarakhand, about 350 kilometers from the capital New Delhi, since November 12. There was a landslide around 5 a.m. local time that day. The entrance is blocked by the chunks of rubble.

A police spokesperson previously told BBC Hindi that oxygen access had also been cut off.

The camera now allows the emergency services to see how the men are doing

First images of construction workers trapped in Indian cave

Since then, emergency services have been working day and night to get the men out of the cave alive, but the rescue operation has been difficult. For example, rescuers work with old equipment and a new, stronger drill broke down.

The vibrations of the drill also caused more debris to fall, reports the AP news agency. A government official told the news agency yesterday that ‘vertical drilling will take place’. A distance of 103 meters still needs to be covered. All other options are too dangerous due to falling debris.

Hot meal

The group is kept alive by the supply of oxygen, water and food through specially constructed pipes. Snacks like popcorn and almonds were the only things that could pass through the pipe.

Today, hot meals, such as rice and lentils, can also be sent thanks to a new wider pipe. The rescue operation is expected to take a few more days.

Source