SLBC Tunnel Collapse: Hand of a trapped worked spotted inside tunnel

The teams are meticulously clearing soil mounds and concrete debris from inside the tunnel. Special measures have been implemented to drain water from the accident site. However, ongoing efforts to rescue the eight trapped workers have been significantly hindered by mud blockages.

Hyderabad: After a difficult journey deep into the SLBC tunnel project, rescue teams have spotted the hand of one of the workers trapped in the mud. This discovery has led to handling of the situation with extra caution.

The teams are carefully removing soil mounds and concrete debris from inside the tunnel. Special arrangements have been made to drain the water from the accident zone. Efforts that are in progress to rescue the eight trapped workers, have been severely hampered by the mud blocks.

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Despite these challenges, the rescue teams have in a way managed to reach closer to the spot where the workers are believed to be trapped. With multiple agencies involved, the rescue operations have been going on non-stop.

The NDRF teams arrived at the accident site at around 9 a.m and the situation at the site is being constantly communicated to the monitoring authorities stationed outside the tunnel. Rescue strategies are being devised and reviewed with experts to remove the soil mounds. Reinforcements and materials required additionally are being transported inside the tunnel to facilitate the rescue. The operations are being supported by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force (ETF).

The situation is being closely monitored under the supervision of HYDRAA Commissioner A Ranganath. The State government could draft the support services from the army, and experts from the Uttarakhand disaster management agency.

The NDRF teams’ initial rescue attempts were unsuccessful due to the adverse conditions inside the tunnel. A major collapse at the 14th kilometre mark blocked the tunnel with large amounts of water, mud, and concrete.