Dix estimated that they had dug about 60m from the entrance by now, and they would need to dig another 150m more to reach the hydropower station located deep inside the mountain.
Rescuers are hoping that the debris from the flood did not reach the station, because if it did, “there would be all kinds of complications – anybody in the station could have been hit by rocks and mud or it could be flooded”.
The team on the ground are still facing significant dangers.
“Up ahead, even now, we might run into water which would drown the people tunnelling,” Dix said. “And we also have the risk of another flood outside happening, so water could come from behind. So there’s the risk of facing water on both ends.”
But, buoyed by Friday’s successful rescue, the team is now hopeful it will reach more survivors in time.
“It’s a big relief, that we are on the right track. And it gives us renewed energy that our thinking [on how to conduct the rescue] works… we have never done something like this before.”
Dix said they are now heading towards what he called the “Goldilocks zone” which would be “more friendly to life”.
This zone is at the uppermost level of the hydropower station where there is some space where survivors may be located.
“We got two people out. If we were playing at a casino, some might say it’s time to walk away, but we say game on, time to take on the house.”
