Survivors of tunnel collapse would need extensive rehabilitation: Doctors

New Delhi: Doctors warned that upon being rescued, the workers trapped in the collapsed under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand would require both physical and mental rehabilitation.

The tunnel under construction on the Char Dham path collapsed four days earlier, trapping 40 workers in all.

The labourers are safe, and oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items and water are being constantly supplied to them through pipes, officials said on Wednesday.

This incident could be traumatic for the survivors as they are likely undergoing mental strain along with physical stress, doctors said.

The victims might experience panic attacks because of being trapped in closed spaces for long, said Dr Ajay Agarwal, director, of Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Noida.

"Further, the ambient conditions such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels too could impact their physical health and prolonged exposure to cold underground temperatures could possibly cause hypothermia and make them fall unconscious," Agarwal said.

Hypothermia is a condition in which the body fails to regulate its temperature in response to external temperatures and thus, begins to lose heat faster than it's produced and therefore body temperatures plummet to subnormal levels.

Agarwal said the situation might worsen for the workers who have chronic health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease, even as the regular supply of food and water might sustain them physically and prevent dehydration.

However, the food and water supply, along with physically supporting the trapped victims, is likely to provide them with a psychological boost and send a message that "help is not far", the doctor said.

"This could reduce anxiety levels and decrease the chances of ketosis," he added.

Ketosis is a natural metabolic state that one's body enters during starvation.

Upon being rescued, the victims would need to be checked for dehydration or hypothermia, for which they may then require treatment, Agarwal said.

However, the incident is highly likely to cause them mental trauma, for which the workers would need to undergo psychological tests and counselling, along with physical fitness tests.

With PTI inputs