Forty-one construction workers who were trapped inside a collapsed tunnel for 16 days in the Indian State of Uttarakhand were finally rescued on Tuesday (Nov 28).

Explained | Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: All 41 workers rescued. Here's a timeline of what happened

Indian rescuers pulled out the first of 41 construction workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in the Himalayas for 17 days, hours after drilling through the debris of rock, concrete and earth to reach them.

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue op: Rescuers pull out trapped Indian workers

41 workers who were trapped in the Uttarakhand tunnel will be extricated. They will be taken to hospitals for medical checkup for which 41 ambulances are on standby outside.

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: Ambulances as well as Indian Air Force's Chinook helicopter on standby

Rescuers achieved major breakthrough in Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation, 41 workers trapped in the tunnel since Nov 12 are expected to come out soon. As drilling through the debris is completed.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Bid to save 41 workers trapped for 17 days | World News | WION

Rat-hole mining is a method of extracting coal from narrow horizontal seams - apart from this - it is a technique which is often employed in India's Meghalaya state where rat-hole mining has been used in the past.

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue: What is rat-hole mining, used in rescue operation, & how does it work?