“We have just witnessed a miracle,” said International tunnelling expert Arnold Dix who was engaged in for the rescue of all the 41 workers trapped inside under construction tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi since 12 November.
The 41 trapped workers were rescued after a 17-day operation. They were brought out one-by-one Tuesday night following a challenging operation that suffered several setbacks owing to the tricky Himalayan terrain.
Arnold said he would be visiting to the makeshift temple outside the tunnel “to say thank you” for what happened.
“I have to go to the temple because I promised to say thank you for what happened. If you haven’t noticed, we have just witnessed a miracle,” he said.
‘Was a joy to be part of this successful mission’
Arnold, who is a geologist, a lawyer as well as an engineer, and also heads the Geneva-based International Tunnelling Underground Space Association, said, “It’s been my honour to serve, and as a parent, it’s been my honour to help out all the parents getting their children home. Remember in the beginning I said, 41 people home, and no one gets hurt by Christmas. Christmas is coming early… We were calm, and we knew exactly what we wanted. We worked as a wonderful team.”
“India has the best engineers… It was just a joy to be part of this successful mission,” he said.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | On the successful rescue of all 41 workers from the Silkyara tunnel, international tunnelling expert Arnold Dix says, “It’s been my honour to serve, and as a parent, it’s been my honour to help out all the parents getting their… pic.twitter.com/3A7rqf02VR
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023
Arnold has been stationed in Uttarkashi ever since the operation to rescue 41 workers trapped since 12 November began. He has been assisting rescue teams and briefing the media on the progress of the operation. He also received praise for rushing in to help amid this crisis.
Also Read: ‘Here’s an Australian giving us master class’: Anand Mahindra lauds tunnel expert Arnold Dix, know why
He was worshipping daily and he said, “I didn’t ask anything for me, I asked for 41 people out there… and for all the people helping… We couldn’t get anyone hurt…”
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue |On worshipping God daily and the challenges, international tunnelling expert, Arnold Dix says, “I didn’t ask anything for me, I asked for 41 people out there… and for all the people helping… We couldn’t get anyone hurt…” pic.twitter.com/S7aMBEiktz
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023
‘Australia not just perfect in cricket’
Arnold, who is a citizen of Australia, also earned praise from his country’s prime minister Anthony Albanese’s on the successful rescue of all 41 workers from the Silkyara tunnel.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Albanese said, “A wonderful achievement by Indian authorities. Proud that Australian Professor Arnold Dix played a role on the ground.”
A wonderful achievement by Indian authorities. Proud that Australian Professor Arnold Dix played a role on the ground. 🇦🇺🇮🇳 https://t.co/RI1oSnaUkK
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 28, 2023
Responding to the Australian PM’s post, Arnold said, “Thanks, Mr Prime Minister… It’s been my privilege and pleasure to show that we are not just fantastic in cricket, but we do other things as well, including tunnel rescue. 41 people are all out, all safe. Everything is perfect.”
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | On Australian PM Anthony Albanese’s congratulatory message on the successful rescue of all 41 workers from the Silkyara tunnel, international tunnelling expert, Arnold Dix says, “Thanks, Mr Prime Minister… It’s been my privilege… pic.twitter.com/wRnGqE6gNq
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023
Australia’s High Commissioner to India Philip Green also lauded Arnold and in a post on X, said, “This is an immense achievement. Well done to the Indian authorities for successfully evacuating all 41 workers trapped in the tunnel in Uttarakhand. Special commendation to Australia’s Professor Arnold Dix who provided important technical support on the ground.”
The rescue operation that lasted for over 400 hours was a test of resolve, grit and perseverance for those on both sides of the 57 metres of debris.
The rescue operation suffered one setback after another and in the last leg, over the weekend, the drilling machine gave way. It was 14 “rat-hole miners” who dug through the last 12 metres and reached the trapped men and brought them out safely.
With inputs from agencies
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