All 41 workers buried under a collapsed Himalayan road tunnel are now free after a 17-day ordeal.

“I am completely relieved and happy as 41 trapped labourers in the Silkyara tunnel collapse have been successfully rescued,” Minister of Road Transport Nitin Gadkari said in a statement.

“This was a well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies marking one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years.”

The massive rescue mission has grabbed the country’s attention for the past two weeks.