Telangana Tunnel Collapse: NDRF, Army Join Rescue Efforts For Eight Trapped Workers — What We Know So Far

Rescue operations are in full swing in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district after a tunnel roof collapsed on Saturday, leaving eight workers trapped.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts.

The Army has also moved swiftly, deploying its Engineer Task Force (ETF) to bolster the rescue operations.

According to the officials cited in an India Today report, the ETF, equipped with modern technology, is conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations at the accident site.

According to rescuers, a 200-metre stretch inside the tunnel is filled with debris, obstructing access to the trapped workers.

Clearing this blockage is crucial before their exact location can be determined and the rescue operation can proceed.

"Water is filled in the patch between 11-13 km of the tunnel, and until water is removed, debris cleaning work will not start," NDRF Deputy Commander Sukhendu was quoted as saying by India Today.

The accident reportedly occurred due to the slippage of a concrete segment that was used to seal seepage at the 14-km inlet of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel, which runs from Srisailam towards Devarakonda.

State Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who was present at the accident site, informed that the Telangana government has roped in experts, including those involved in rescue efforts during a similar tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand in November 2023.

The trapped people include two engineers from an infrastructure company, two operators from a US-based firm, and four labourers from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Saturday, seeking updates on the incident and rescue efforts.

He assured the state of full support from the Centre to ensure the safe evacuation of the trapped workers.

Around 50 people had entered the tunnel on Saturday morning along with the 200-meter-long boring machine after the construction work of the tunnel resumed recently. The workers are trapped 14 kilometres inside the tunnel.

According to the reports, rescue teams are using drones to navigate forward and identify any potential dangers as there is a huge chunk of muck piled up at the accident site.

N Balram, Chairman and Managing Director of state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Ltd, informed news agency PTI that a team of 19 experts from the company had been dispatched to assist in the rescue operations.

State officials have been directed to maintain real-time communication with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, ensuring he remains updated on the rescue operations’ progress inside the tunnel.

Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi spoke with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Sunday morning regarding the SLBC tunnel rescue efforts.

He appreciated the steps taken and the constant vigil and monitoring; and asked the government to leave no stone unturned to try to save the trapped workers.

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