Fate of 8 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel unknown even after 10 days
They were trapped when a tunnel section of the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal in Nagarkurnool area collapsed.
There were 50 workers inside the tunnel when it collapsed but 42 escaped. The fate of the rest was still unknown 10 days later.
Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy said on Sunday that the exact location of the workers remained unknown. He said the over five-metre-deep layer of mud inside the tunnel had made it difficult for rescue teams to determine their precise whereabouts.
Twelve agencies were reported to be involved in the rescue operation and specialists from both state and central governments were assisting them.
Attempts to clear away silt from where the trapped engineers and labourers had been detected earlier inside the collapsed tunnel were intensifying as additional personnel and equipment was being deployed, The New Indian Express reported.
An unnamed official told the paper on Sunday that a conveyor belt damaged by the collapse was expected to be repaired by Monday. Once operational, it would facilitate the removal of debris and sludge from the tunnel.
'The number of personnel and equipment at the identified locations is being increased,' he said, adding that the process of silt removal and dewatering was ongoing.
It was reported over the weekend that scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute had used ground penetrating radar to detect the positions of four of the eight trapped workers, and that they were expected to be rescued by the evening of 2 March. But the chief minister clarified on Sunday that their exact locations remained uncertain.
The collapse of the 'world's longest irrigation tunnel' was triggered by a sudden inflow of water and soil, causing a section to cave in.
An unidentified expert quoted by The Indian Express said that 'there was seepage of water from the hillocks above into the tunnel', which caused 'the mud to loosen and caused a mudslide'. They pointed out that mudslides were not common in tunnel construction. In this case, however, 'the tunnel was being dug at a place that was prone to mudslides, and the drilling triggered it'.
#Telangana - SLBC Tunnel Rescue: Challenges PersistRescue operations at the SLBC tunnel continue, with teams advancing up to 14 km despite challenges from mud and silt. The process of cutting the TBM into pieces is underway. A joint effort by 11 agencies, including the Army,… pic.twitter.com/mb12otjfRi
— TeluguScribe Now (@TeluguScribeNow) March 3, 2025
Mr Reddy visited the site of the accident on Sunday and said the rescue was progressing but remained a complex operation. It could take another two to three days to locate the workers, he added.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On the collapse of the SLBC tunnel and the ongoing rescue operations, BRS MLC K Kavitha says, "This is an unfortunate incident where labourers from many states have been stuck in the collapsed tunnel for many days. The rescue operation could have… pic.twitter.com/NLqWqEOcLV
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2025
'They are not able to come to a full understanding on where the humans and the machinery got stuck. They have a preliminary estimation, but not fully,' he said, referring to the rescuers.
The Hindu reported that the leaders of key rescue agencies had informed Mr Reddy that clearing debris from the final 20 metres of the tunnel was the most difficult and challenging part of the rescue operation.
#SLBCTunnelCollapse :Sniffer dogs were pressed into service by the Telangana govt to identify the 8 workers trapped inside the #Srisailam Left Bank Canal (#SLBC) tunnel in #Nagarkurnool The #SnifferDogs entered inside #SLBCTunnel along with #NDRF and #SDRF teams for… pic.twitter.com/vjjOrXmPth
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) February 25, 2025
As the left flank and roof of this section was still unstable, with heavy water seepage ongoing, rescuers were considering alternative tunnel routes from 13.45km inside to connect with a more stable section of the original path.
'Actually, the operation is going on in full swing. Approximately twelve agencies are working around the clock to find the victims,' VVN Prasanna Kumar, National Disaster Response Force commandant, was quoted as saying by ANI news agency on Monday. 'Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate them so far.'
#SLBCTunnelCollapse - #RescueOperation#Telangana Govt has intensified efforts to rescue 8 workers trapped, since 130 hrs, inside the #Srisailam Left Bank Canal (#SLBC) tunnel, by dewatering efforts to reduce water levels, remove the slush and debris from the #SLBCTunnel and… pic.twitter.com/imp06n48oD
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) February 27, 2025
State lawmaker Payal Shankar assured that prime minister Narendra Modi was monitoring the situation and had provided all necessary assistance.
'PM Modi is in continuous contact with the state government and has sent all the help required,' she said. 'The rescue operation is underway. We hope that the eight people trapped inside come out safely.'
The trapped workers were earlier identified as Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh, Sunny Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, Gurpreet Singh from Punjab, and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu and Anuj Sahu from Jharkhand.
Accidents related to large infrastructure projects are not uncommon in India.
In 2023, a 17-day rescue operation saved 41 workers trapped in a partially collapsed Himalayan road tunnel in the northern state of Uttarakhand.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Epoch Times
a day ago
- Epoch Times
No Mechanical Issue With Boeing 787 Fuel Control Units: FAA Chief
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said July 24 that the agency is confident there was no mechanical issue with Boeing's fuel control system following a crash near Ahmedabad in June that killed 260 people. Air India Flight AI171 was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed into a medical college hostel near the Indian state of Gujarat on June 12. The flight was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
School roof collapse in western India kills 7 children and injures at least 21
NEW DELHI (AP) — The roof of a government middle school building collapsed Friday in India's western state of Rajasthan, killing 7 children and injuring at least 21, a senior police official said. The collapse occurred soon after the students had reached their classrooms and were about to start the school assembly, said police official Amit Kumar. It is still unclear what caused the roof to collapse. The school, located in Piplod village of Jhalawar district, has students studying up to eighth grade, or what is called a middle school in India. A total of around 35 students were present when the roof collapsed. All seven fatalities were students from seventh and eighth grade, Kumar said. The injured have been transported to two local hospitals for treatment. The office of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lamented the accident in a social media post, calling it 'tragic' and 'deeply saddening.' 'My thoughts are with the affected students and their families in this difficult hour,' the statement read, adding that authorities are providing 'all possible assistance.' ____ AP's India coverage:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Four children killed and 17 injured after roof collapses at Indian school
At least four children were killed and 17 injured after the roof of a primary school collapsed in western India on Friday morning. The tragedy struck at around 8.30am local time, at the Government Higher Primary School in Piplodi village in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan state, as students assembled for morning prayers. According to district officials, the roof of one of the classrooms suddenly gave way, burying the children under debris. At least 17 children were injured, some critically, and several were feared trapped under the rubble. The school building was reportedly in a dilapidated condition. Villagers were said to have repeatedly complained about its structural integrity, most recently after days of rain were feared to have weakened the roof, and authorities said the building's upkeep would form a key part of the investigation into the incident. Footage from the site showed desperate scenes of panic and urgency as villagers and teachers dug through the rubble with their bare hands, later aided by rescue personnel, cranes, and backhoes. The rescue operation concluded within hours, with many students pulled out alive. Assistant sub inspector Abdul Hakim from the Dangipura police station told The Indian Express that the children who died were aged between 14 and 16. Police superintendent Amit Kumar confirmed to the news agency PTI that 10 of the injured children had been sent to the district hospital in Jhalawar, at least four in critical condition. The rest were treated at nearby health centres. Rajasthan's education minister ordered a high-level investigation. 'A very unfortunate incident occurred in Piplodi village in Jhalawar where roof of a school collapsed,' Madan Dilawar said. 'I have instructed the district collector and education officer to make all kinds of arrangements for treatment,' he told local media. Mr Dilawar said the building's condition and whether prior structural audits had been carried out would be key aspects of the investigation. 'I have directed the zilla (district) authorities to make proper arrangements and to oversee the injured children's treatment, and to ensure they do not face any kind of difficulties,' he said. Rajasthan's chief minister, Bhajanlal Sharma, described the incident as 'extremely painful and tragic'. 'Concerned officials have been directed to ensure best possible treatment for the injured children. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families,' he said. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said the 'mishap' in Jhalawar was 'tragic and deeply saddening'. 'My thoughts are with the affected students and their families in this difficult hour,' he said on X. 'Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.' Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot added his voice to the chorus of concern, noting that 'several children and teachers were injured due to the collapse of a government school building' and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. There were an estimated 60 individuals on the school premises at the time of the collapse, Station House Officer Vijendra Singh at the Dangipura police station said.
