Rescue hopes are diminishing despite the deployment of multiple agencies to save the lives of eight workers and engineers trapped inside the collapsed section of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) Tunnel project. Tragically, the body of one of the trapped workers has reportedly surfaced with the water drained from the accident zone, casting a shadow over the survival chances of the rest.
Chances for the survival of the remaining trapped workers are slim, as 200 meters of the collapsed section are blocked by debris, making it extremely difficult to reach them. The tunnel boring machine has also been buried under the debris.
Efforts to establish contact with the trapped workers and engineers have so far been unsuccessful, leaving their fate uncertain. Rescue teams have encountered significant obstacles as the collapsed section of the tunnel is filled with mud and water. The 200-meter stretch of the accident zone is packed with debris.
The rescue operation, involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force (ETF), has been ongoing since midnight, with non-stop efforts to reach the trapped individuals. The rescue teams, after a challenging journey deep into the tunnel, have spotted the hand of one of the workers trapped in the mud. This discovery has led to a more cautious approach in handling the rescue operations.
The teams are meticulously removing soil mounds and concrete debris from inside the tunnel, and special arrangements have been made to drain the heavily flowing water. However, the efforts to rescue the eight trapped workers have been severely hampered by the mud. Despite these challenges, the rescue teams have managed to reach closer to the spot where the workers are believed to be trapped.
