Uttarkashi Tunnel Survivors airlifted to AIIMS-Rishikesh, Undergoing Medical Check-Up

All 41 workers rescued from the Silkyara tunnel on Tuesday evening left the community health center (CHC) at Chinyalisaur for a medical check-up at AIIMS-Rishikesh on Wednesday. The workers were airlifted in an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter to AIIMS Rishikesh. A comprehensive medical examination on all health parameters would be conducted to ensure all workers are safe, an official said. The government turned the full focus on the overall health of the 41 rescued workers who have already undergone several health checks at the tunnel site and at the CHC, Chinyalisaur.

Considering the grueling conditions the workers spent for 17 days inside the tunnel, the authorities were leaving no scope for any lapse in extending medical help to them. The workers were kept under medical observation at a hospital in Chinyalisaur after their evacuation. They were brought to AIIMS-Rishikesh in a Chinook helicopter in the afternoon.

In Chinyalisaur, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the workers and handed over Rs 1 lakh to each of them. He also spoke to their family members waiting outside the hospital. They thanked him for safely evacuating the trapped workers.

An official at AIIMS-Rishikesh said the workers will first be taken to the trauma ward of the hospital from where they will be shifted to the disaster ward for a detailed examination of their health parameters. Their mental health will also be checked, he said adding they will be kept under observation. The disaster ward of AIIMS-Rishikesh has a capacity of 100 beds. All arrangements are ready at the facility to tend to the evacuated workers, he said Relatives of the workers are also being brought to Rishikesh in buses.

The rescued workers had a telephone interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday night when the latter told them about the elaborate steps being taken by the government for the sake of their health.