In a gripping and desperate fight against time, emergency responders in Telangana, India, are facing difficult conditions in their mission to save eight construction workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel since Saturday. The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 AM local time when a roof section of the underway Srisailam Left Bank Canal collapsed, affecting around 50 individuals working inside the 43km (26.7-mile) tunnel located in the Nagarkurnool district.
Race Against Time in Telangana: Rescuers Strive to Save Eight Workers Trapped in Tunnel
Race Against Time in Telangana: Rescuers Strive to Save Eight Workers Trapped in Tunnel
Authorities in Telangana are mobilizing resources to rescue eight workers trapped for over 72 hours as efforts face numerous challenges.
Initial reports confirm that 43 workers managed to escape the disaster, while the remaining eight have faced increasing peril. Officials have struggled to establish contact with the trapped men or deliver essential supplies, such as oxygen, due to hazardous loose soil, mud, and slush. Jupally Krishna Rao, a state minister involved in the rescue operations, described the situation as grave, noting that “the chances of their survival are very remote.”
The situation has drawn an expert team of "rat-hole miners" to assist in clearing away the debris blocking the trapped workers, with this group previously successful in rescuing 41 workers after an earlier landslide incident in Uttarakhand. As efforts progressed, approximately 33km of the excavation has been completed, leaving roughly 10km to go. Rescuers have introduced a system where water is being continuously pumped out to improve oxygen supply inside the tunnel.
Despite the advancements, challenging terrain has complicated rescue efforts. Families anxiously await news, expressing both hope and despair. “I hope my son comes back safe,” voiced Rampratap Sahu, father to one of the trapped workers, while others have criticized the authorities for their inadequate handling of the situation.
The collapse occurred when a slab of concrete covering seepage on the roof unexpectedly gave way, resulting in several injuries and raising questions about safety measures at the project site. Over the past few days, various relief teams, including soldiers from the Indian Army and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, have joined the rescue mission.
According to an anonymous official on-site, the team previously managed to cover considerable ground using a train and conveyor belt but hit a significant obstacle when they encountered tall mounds of mud and debris. "We shouted and screamed, whistled and pointed torches, hoping for a response but didn't hear anything," the official recounted, highlighting the dire atmosphere within the tunnel.
As families cling to hope and prayer, the rescue efforts continue, showcasing the resilience and determination of emergency services under perilous conditions amid nature's fury.
The situation has drawn an expert team of "rat-hole miners" to assist in clearing away the debris blocking the trapped workers, with this group previously successful in rescuing 41 workers after an earlier landslide incident in Uttarakhand. As efforts progressed, approximately 33km of the excavation has been completed, leaving roughly 10km to go. Rescuers have introduced a system where water is being continuously pumped out to improve oxygen supply inside the tunnel.
Despite the advancements, challenging terrain has complicated rescue efforts. Families anxiously await news, expressing both hope and despair. “I hope my son comes back safe,” voiced Rampratap Sahu, father to one of the trapped workers, while others have criticized the authorities for their inadequate handling of the situation.
The collapse occurred when a slab of concrete covering seepage on the roof unexpectedly gave way, resulting in several injuries and raising questions about safety measures at the project site. Over the past few days, various relief teams, including soldiers from the Indian Army and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, have joined the rescue mission.
According to an anonymous official on-site, the team previously managed to cover considerable ground using a train and conveyor belt but hit a significant obstacle when they encountered tall mounds of mud and debris. "We shouted and screamed, whistled and pointed torches, hoping for a response but didn't hear anything," the official recounted, highlighting the dire atmosphere within the tunnel.
As families cling to hope and prayer, the rescue efforts continue, showcasing the resilience and determination of emergency services under perilous conditions amid nature's fury.
