Uttarakhand tunnel rescue successful: top 5 points

All 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel have been rescued after 17 days.

The workers have been taken to a hospital and their health will be monitored.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced financial aid of Rs 1 lakh for each rescued worker.

Dhami said that the youngest of the workers was rescued first with team leaders coming out last.

PM Modi, President Murmu and other ministers tweeted to congratulate the rescue teams and expressed happiness the success of the operation.

An ambulance with the first of the 41 workers left the mouth of the tunnel around 8 pm, about an hour after a group of rat-hole mining experts dug through the last stretch of rubble.

Also watch: Watch: locals distribute sweets outside Silkyara tunnel as workers are rescued

There was hugging and cheers as the ordeal ended. Outside the tunnel some people chanted “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” Ambulances which had lined up at the tunnel ferried the workers to a community health centre where a special 41-bed ward had been set up.

Before this, the workers were given a quick medical checkup as they emerged out of the steel pipe.

CM Dhami said no worker was in a critical situation. But the labourers will be kept under medical observation for some time before being sent home, he said.

He said the youngest of the worker was rescued first.

A portion of the tunnel on the Char Dham route collapsed on November 12, blocking the exit of the workers who were inside.

Food, medicines and other essentials were sent to them through a six-inch pipe pushed through the rubble of the collapsed portion.

Relief was felt far and wide.

Over the phone, Jharkhand’s Sunil, who was camping in Silkyara, spoke to PTI on the rescue of his brother Anil.

"Finally, God heard us. My brother could be rescued. I am with him in an ambulance on the way to hospital," he said in a choked voice.

As the rescue appeared imminent earlier in the day, families stationed in Silkyara were allowed inside the tunnel with their belongings – so that they could travel with their loved ones to the medical centre.

(with PTI inputs)