After putting in great effort for four days, rescuers took all the victims out at 4:35 pm today, Deputy Minister of Construction Le Quang Hung told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.
Three of the 12 trapped workers were carried out on stretchers while the others came out by themselves, Tuoi Tre journalists reported from the scene.
Health forces were seen putting all the workers into ambulances to carry to a hospital for emergency care, the journalists said.
An accident happened at 7:15 am on Tuesday when a 20-meter-long section of the under-construction tunnel of the Da Dang Dachomo hydropower plant in Lac Duong District collapsed.
Rescuers are shown taking one victim (in black shirt) out of the collapsed tunnel. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Those working there managed to get out of the place except for 12 workers who became stuck inside.
Sappers had to dig two underground passageways from both sides of the collapsed tunnel to gain access to the workers.
Of the two, the one on the right side was the main passageway while the other served as standby in case the primary failed to reach the victims.
During the digging, sappers had to use explosives to destroy large pieces of rock that blocked the way leading to the location of the trapped workers.
Rescuers also managed to drill holes to put pipes through them so that food, milk, and water could be pumped to the trapped workers.
Over 750 people were deployed for the rescue mission, with the participation of military soldiers and police officers.
Following are some images of the rescue mission:
Rescuers from the Army carry a victim out of the collapsed tunnel. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Rescuers cheer when seeing a worker taken out of the collapsed tunnel safely. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Huynh Van Chung (C), one of the 12 trapped workers, smiles after being rescued. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A victim is carried by a rescuer. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A worker lies on a first-aid stretcher. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A victim smiles at his colleagues after being brought out of the collapsed tunnel. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A victim is seen being admitted to Lam Dong Hospital. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A nurse is pictured checking the health of a victim at Lam Dong Hospital. Photo: Tuoi Tre
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