Rescue Work In Uttarakhand Tunnel Paused After Loud "Cracking Sound"

The 40 workers are trapped inside the 4.5-km Silkyara tunnel since Sunday morning when a part of the under-construction structure near Uttarkashi collapsed following a landslide.

The Uttarakhand tunnel rescue ops have hit another roadblock. The drilling operations have been put on hold after 2:45 pm, said officials, adding that a meeting of experts has been called.

The 40 workers are trapped inside the 4.5-km Silkyara tunnel since Sunday morning when a part of the under-construction structure near Uttarkashi collapsed following a landslide.

"During the execution of the work at around 2:45 pm, a large scale cracking sound was heard by officials and the team working inside the tunnel and created a panic situation in the tunnel as well as to the team working," said a statement, adding that there's a "strong possibility that a further collapse may take place and accordingly pipe pushing activity has been stopped".