The ongoing mission to rescue 40 laborers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand has entered its fifth day, prompting authorities to seek assistance from the Thai company renowned for successfully rescuing children from a flooded cave in 2018.

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The Uttarakhand government’s department of public relations stated that officials have reached out to the Thai company involved in the Tham Luang cave rescue, which saved 12 boys from a junior football team and their coach.

Miraculous Thai Football Team Rescue: In 2018, 12 young footballers and their coach were trapped in the Tham Luang cave complex in Thailand due to heavy rains. The dramatic rescue, involving British cave divers and thousands of volunteers, captivated the world as they worked tirelessly for 18 days and nights to bring the individuals to safety.

Airlifted Drilling Machine to Accelerate Rescue Efforts: To expedite the rescue operation in Uttarkashi, a heavy drilling machine was airlifted from Delhi by three IAF transport aircraft. The American auger machine aims to replace the previous equipment, which faced technical issues. Workers on-site protested the perceived slow pace of the operation.

The plan involves using the American auger to drill through the collapsed tunnel’s rubble and insert sections of mild steel pipes. Once completed, the trapped workers can crawl out to safety. The replacement machine, with the capability to penetrate four to five meters of rubble per hour, is expected to excavate 50 meters through the rubble in 10 hours.

Maintaining Communication and Providing Encouragement: Officials, including Uttarkashi District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela, maintain constant communication with the trapped workers, urging them not to lose patience. Ruhela acknowledged the challenging situation, emphasizing that while it may take some time, all trapped workers will be safely evacuated.

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The inclusion of Thai cave experts demonstrates a collaborative international effort to address challenging rescue operations and maximize expertise gained from past successful missions.