Rescue operations continue as evening approaches, where workers got trapped in a tunnel construction collapse in Uttarkashi, northern state of Uttarakhand, India, November 27, 2023.
The men, low-wage workers from India's poorest states, have been stuck in the 4.5 km (3 miles) tunnel in Uttarakhand state since it collapsed on Nov. 12.
"Sure, 100%," he said when asked if the men could be reached on Tuesday.
Rescuers on Monday brought in the "rat miners", experts at a primitive, hazardous and controversial method used mostly to get at coal deposits through narrow passages.
Authorities have not said what caused the cave-in but the region is prone to landslides, earthquakes and floods.
Persons:
Francis Mascarenhas, Deepak Patil, Narendra Modi's
Organizations:
REUTERS, Authorities, YP Rajesh, Thomson
Locations:
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India