Some of the 40 Indian construction workers trapped in a collapsed road tunnel for four days have fallen sick as falling debris and technical glitches have delayed the work to free them.
Wide pipes are set to be drilled through excavated rubble to create a passage to free the workers, who have been trapped since Sunday.
Relatives and friends of the trapped workers gathering outside the tunnel in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand have grown frustrated and angry with reports some workers were becoming unwell.
A major rescue operation is under way to rescue the workers
Pic: AP
Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela said some workers have sent messages saying they are suffering from fever, body aches, and nervousness.
Medicine has been sent through pipes that were set up earlier to get water and food to the workers.
Two of the workers were reported to have minor injuries from the falling debris.
Around 200 disaster relief personnel are using drilling equipment and excavators to rescue the workers, who are mostly migrant labourers from across India.
Steel pipes 2ft 6in (76cm) wide, which arrived at the site on Tuesday, will be pushed through an opening of excavated debris with the help of hydraulic jacks to safely pull out the stranded workers.
Gaurav Singh, a state government official, said the rescue operation was delayed because of a technical fault in the drilling machine, but a new machine has been installed.
Falling debris also delayed the start of the drilling on Tuesday.
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