Telangana Tunnel Collapse: Four trapped workers located on day 8, confirms minister
Telangana Tunnel Collapse: Four trapped workers located on day 8, confirms minister
In a crucial breakthrough on the eighth day of rescue operations at the collapsed Telangana tunnel, authorities have located four of the eight trapped workers. State Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao confirmed the development on Saturday, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tense situation.
Following a high-level review meeting with officials, Rao and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that significant progress had been made in the past 48 hours.
“Based on radar imaging, we have identified the whereabouts of four individuals,” Rao informed reporters at the site. He expressed optimism that they could be rescued by Sunday evening. However, the remaining four workers are believed to be trapped beneath the massive Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), making the situation more complex, as per reports from PTI.
Rescue Efforts & Challenges
The operation has been particularly challenging due to the sheer size of the 450-foot TBM, which is currently being dismantled to access the trapped individuals. Rescue personnel from at least 11 specialized agencies are working tirelessly to ensure their safe extraction.
Opposition parties have criticized the delay in the rescue, but Rao defended the ongoing efforts, emphasizing that top experts are handling the operation. “The presence of slush inside the tunnel has further complicated the process, but our teams are doing their best under extreme conditions,” he said.
Incident Overview
The tunnel collapse occurred on February 22 at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project, trapping eight people, including engineers and laborers, under the debris. Since then, authorities have been working round the clock, deploying advanced equipment and technical expertise to locate and rescue them.
With the operation still underway, officials remain hopeful while closely monitoring the evolving situation. Further updates are expected as rescue teams push forward in their mission to retrieve the remaining workers.
