Authorities are racing to rescue 40 workers trapped in a tunnel after it collapsed in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, on November 12.

Footage shows an excavator being used to scrape out rubble from inside the tunnel.

Authorities said that they were able to contact the trapped men on Sunday night using walkie-talkies.

They also said that a pipeline laid for supplying water to the tunnel for construction work is now being used for supplying oxygen, food, and water to the workers.

According to reports, a 150-metre section of the tunnel collapsed after a landslide sent heavy debris piling onto the structure.

The Silkyara tunnel is part of the government's project to connect famous pilgrimage spots in the state.

All 40 workers who were trapped after an under-construction tunnel collapsed in northern India's Uttarakhand, were reportedly 'safe.'

This incident happened in Uttarkashi on November 12.

Visuals showed the rescue operation underway to save those who were trapped inside the tunnel. An excavator was used to scrape out the debris inside the tunnel. The area was full of workers who were engaged with the project. According to a report, this shocking incident happened in the early hours of November 12 when a 150-metre portion of the massive tunnel which stretched to four and half kilometres, collapsed. This tunnel is on the Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway. After receiving information, Arpan Yaduvanshi, the Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police rushed to the spot and a rescue operation to save those trapped, began. Later on, officials of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were also present along with the fire brigade.

It was learnt that more rubble came crashing down as they dug deeper to remove the debris and rescue the ones trapped. NDRF senior commander Karamveer Singh Bhandari shared that the ones trapped were given oxygen, water and food as well. Their conditions were being monitored as well. There have been no casualties so far.