Rescuers closing in on 41 workers trapped in India tunnel

Officials had said they hoped to reach the construction workers as early as Thursday. The 3-mile tunnel collapsed on Nov. 12. It is unclear what caused the collapse, but the region in northern India is prone to landslides, earthquakes, and floods. Falling debris and equipment issues have slowed attempts to rescue the 41 men. Engineers were previously attempting to drill horizontally through the debris but had to halt on Friday after equipment issues. They are currently trying to dig a vertical shaft through the top of the mine. 

Are the constrution worker OK? None of the workers were injured. However, at least three of them have dysentery. The men have access to oxygen, food, water, and contact with rescuers. Rescuers have been able to send them hot meals and walkie-talkies through a pipe.

Dig deeper: Read Jenny Lind Schmitt’s report in WORLD Magazine about one man’s fight for persecuted Christians around the world.