Uttarkashi tunnel rescue: First visuals of trapped workers out; NDMA says ‘horizontal drilling’ in focus. 10 points

livemint.com:

41 trapped workers inside the Silkyara tunnel of Uttarkashi entered its 10th day, a major relief came with the emergence of their first visuals. In the video, the workers were seen to be physically and mentally stable. Officials who addressed the press sounded confident of their well-being, noting that there was sufficient oxygen and light inside the tunnel, and eatables including dry fruits were being sent inside through a 4-inch pipeline.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), while sharing details about the progress made towards reaching the trapped workers, said the focus would be on “horizontal digging" instead of finding a route through vertical digging. Also Read: Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Govt says 'might reach trapped workers in two and a half days if...' Here are the 10 major updates related to the rescue operation. - The visuals, showing the trapped workers, were captured using an endoscopic camera sent in through a six-inch pipeline, which was pushed on November 20 through the rubble of the collapsed portion of tunnel on Uttarakhand’s Char Dham route.

- In a video released by the rescue agencies, the workers wearing yellow and white helmets, are seen receiving food items sent to them through the pipeline and talking to each other. - Officials watching them on a screen were heard giving instructions, asking them to clean the lens and show themselves on camera. They are heard asking them to come near the mouth of the pipeline and use the walkie-talkies, apparently sent down earlier.