All 41 workers rescued from collapsed Indian tunnel after 17 days

Forty-one construction workers have been rescued from a collapsed tunnel in northern India where they had spent the last 17 days.

The rescue on Tuesday marked a happy ending to an ordeal that had gripped the country and led to a massive rescue operation that overcame several setbacks. Locals, relatives and government officials erupted in joy, set off firecrackers and shouted ``Bharat Mata ki Jai'', Hindi for ``Long live mother India", as happy workers walked out after receiving a brief checkup by doctors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to some of the rescued workers over the phone. He praised their courage and the rescue effort and said they were an inspiration to everyone.