SLBC tunnel accident: Search Intensified for seven other missing workers

The tragic incident occurred on February 22 and their fate remained clueless. Many of the family members of the trapped workers are waiting at the tunnel project with growing anguish.

Hyderabad: The search for the seven workers still missing in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project has been intensified as rescue teams focus their efforts on the second excavation point identified by cadaver dogs. The tragic incident occurred on February 22 and their fate remained clueless. Many of the family members of the trapped workers are waiting at the tunnel project with growing anguish.

The breakthrough that came with cadaver dogs helping in unearthing the body of one of the missing workers at the first point (D1) raised hopes among them. The body was identified as Gurpreet Singh, 40, TBM operator. After completing the identification process and conducting the post-mortem examination, the body was sent to his native place in Punjab. The Nagarkurnool District Collector Badawat Santosh announced an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh to the kin of the victim on behalf of the state government.

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Officials representing the State government accompanied the remains to offer support and condolences to the bereaved family. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the Minister for Irrigation N Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed their sympathies to the bereaved family. The pace of the rescue operations have been stepped up with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies working till late hours to locate the missing individuals.

The excavation at the second site was found to be challenging due to the unstable conditions within the tunnel. The presence of metal debris, slush, and lack of oxygen has made the rescue efforts arduous. The rescue teams have also deployed advanced robotic technology to aid in the excavation process, according to officials. Experts from the Geological Survey of India and other national agencies are providing guidance to ensure the safety of the rescue personnel and the trapped workers.