"It may be possible to reach the trapped workers tonight."
Reporters at the scene of the Da Dang-Da Chomo hydroelectric tunnel collapse (Lat commune, Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province) quoted the Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, Doan Van Viet, as saying that the earliest they could reach the trapped workers would be late tonight, December 19th.
Reporters at the scene of the Da Dang-Da Chomo hydroelectric tunnel collapse (Lat commune, Lac Duong district, Lam Dong province) quoted the Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, Doan Van Viet, as saying that the earliest they could reach the trapped workers would be late tonight, December 19th.
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| Rescue operations inside the tunnel must be carried out urgently. |
On the morning of December 19th, a new vent was created to improve ventilation and drainage in the tunnel where 12 workers were trapped. By 9:00 AM on December 19th, drilling from the rear of the tunnel was successful, and rescue forces began pumping out the water and mud from inside. Around 10:30 AM that same day, the vent became blocked, and rescue teams immediately worked to fix it. By 11:00 AM on December 19th, the vent was operational again to continue pumping out water.
This drill bit also has a diameter of 6 cm, like the three drill bits from the front of the tunnel entrance that were successfully drilled in the previous days, helping to improve ventilation and drainage, especially since this is the downstream side so that the floodwater inside will drain out quickly.
Earlier, on the evening of December 18th, after hours of pumping efforts, the water level in the tunnel had receded to below 1 meter, compared to 1.5 meters the day before. Meanwhile, progress was also made on the two auxiliary tunnels dug in an arc shape through the sides of the main tunnel for rescue operations.
By the end of the morning of December 19th, the right tunnel had progressed more than 15 meters, and the left branch had advanced 12 meters. These are two tunnels used for rescuing people, and are currently being dug by engineering troops and miners to overcome the 35-meter-long section of the tunnel that has collapsed and is blocked by earth and rocks.
Also on the night of December 18th and the morning of December 19th, rescue forces continued drilling from the hilltop down to the tunnel roof, with a second borehole, next to the first one which had to be stopped on the afternoon of December 18th because the drill bit got stuck on rock and was damaged, making it impossible to continue after going more than 40 meters.
By dawn on December 19th, the second drill on the summit had penetrated over 30 meters, out of a total of nearly 70 meters of rock and soil. This drilling direction is crucial because it will create a large 10 cm diameter opening to provide clothing and some necessities to the victims, helping them cope with the cold and hunger, and potentially allowing for the placement of communication lines for better contact. Supplies of oxygen, drinking water, porridge, and milk are still being ensured, and rescue forces have also brought in a small flashlight, paper, and pens for the victims.
Four days have passed since the collapse of the Da Dang-Da Chomo hydroelectric tunnel in Lam Dong province, and 12 workers remain trapped inside, while rescue efforts are being carried out urgently.
On the morning of December 19th, Ms. Truong Thi Mai, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee on Social Affairs and a National Assembly representative from Lam Dong province, was present at the scene to encourage the rescue forces. Ms. Truong Thi Mai said: “Voters nationwide and in Lam Dong province are very concerned about the rescue efforts and all hope that the workers will be rescued soon.”
Earlier, on the afternoon of December 18th, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai personally directed rescue efforts; visited and encouraged the trapped workers; commended the rescue forces; and expressed his hope that the forces would strengthen coordination and continue their efforts to clear the tunnel and rescue people.
Leaders from various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Military Region 7, and the National Committee for Search and Rescue, also visited the accident site to inquire about the well-being of the injured workers and their families, and to direct the relevant forces in each aspect of the rescue operation. Leaders from the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People's Committee, and the Lam Dong Provincial National Assembly Delegation were also present at the scene to direct and manage the work.
According to VNA
