Authorities warn of low survival chances as rescue operations face significant obstacles.
Desperate Rescue Efforts Continue for Eight Trapped Workers in Telangana Tunnel Collapse
Desperate Rescue Efforts Continue for Eight Trapped Workers in Telangana Tunnel Collapse
As hopes diminish, teams work tirelessly to reach workers trapped for days beneath debris.
In a tragic incident, eight workers remain trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Telangana, India, as rescue operations face mounting challenges. The collapse occurred over the weekend during work on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal, part of an extensive irrigation project that has experienced numerous delays since its inception in 2005. Eyewitness accounts detail a sudden influx of silt and water that caused the tunnel's ceiling to cave in, leaving the workers stranded approximately nine miles inside.
Local officials reported that while some survivors managed to escape, the eight trapped workers are blocked from exit by a tunnel-boring machine. "The tunnel’s dimensions are daunting; imagine nearly all of its height filled with water, mud, and stones," stated Manoj Gaur, chairman of Jaiprakash Associates, the construction firm involved.
Efforts to contact the trapped individuals have been unsuccessful, raising concerns about their condition. A diverse team comprising nine agencies including the Indian Army and Marine Commandos is actively engaged in the rescue mission, drawing on expertise from previous operations, such as a successful rescue in Uttarakhand in 2023. However, local officials, including Telangana state minister Jupally Krishna Rao, expressed grave concerns over the likelihood of survival.
"We will continue our efforts despite the odds; even the faintest hope warrants our response," said Rao. As of early Monday, rescuers reportedly managed to reach the tunnel-boring machine impeding access but are facing severe disruptions due to debris accumulation that reaches heights of up to seven feet. The incident has rekindled debates regarding the safety measures and environmental risks associated with such large-scale infrastructure projects in vulnerable areas.
Local officials reported that while some survivors managed to escape, the eight trapped workers are blocked from exit by a tunnel-boring machine. "The tunnel’s dimensions are daunting; imagine nearly all of its height filled with water, mud, and stones," stated Manoj Gaur, chairman of Jaiprakash Associates, the construction firm involved.
Efforts to contact the trapped individuals have been unsuccessful, raising concerns about their condition. A diverse team comprising nine agencies including the Indian Army and Marine Commandos is actively engaged in the rescue mission, drawing on expertise from previous operations, such as a successful rescue in Uttarakhand in 2023. However, local officials, including Telangana state minister Jupally Krishna Rao, expressed grave concerns over the likelihood of survival.
"We will continue our efforts despite the odds; even the faintest hope warrants our response," said Rao. As of early Monday, rescuers reportedly managed to reach the tunnel-boring machine impeding access but are facing severe disruptions due to debris accumulation that reaches heights of up to seven feet. The incident has rekindled debates regarding the safety measures and environmental risks associated with such large-scale infrastructure projects in vulnerable areas.
