HYDERABAD, Telangana — Rescue teams have been working around the clock for the past 72 hours following a tunnel collapse in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district that left eight workers trapped, with no successful contact made so far, officials said.
The collapse occurred during excavation work on an under-construction tunnel intended to boost regional connectivity. Authorities confirmed that a section of the tunnel gave way on February 22, trapping the workers inside in unstable and challenging conditions. Efforts to reach the workers have so far been thwarted by significant obstructions, including thick slush and debris that have accumulated inside the tunnel.
Officials from the Telangana State Disaster Management Authority said that experts from the Geological Survey of India and the National Geophysical Research Institute have been roped in to assist with the rescue operation. “Rescue teams are using specialized equipment to try to establish communication and safe access, but the structural instability and buildup of slush have made progress difficult,” a senior official said.
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Multiple rescue strategies are being deployed simultaneously. Engineers are working to drill alternate access points while maintaining a cautious approach to ensure the tunnel’s further destabilization does not jeopardize the trapped workers’ chances of survival. “Every measure is being taken for a safe extraction. However, the situation remains critical, and we must proceed carefully to avoid additional hazards,” the official added.
The collapsed tunnel was part of a larger infrastructure initiative aimed at improving local transportation, a project that has now come under intense scrutiny. Experts have raised questions about construction protocols and safety measures after the incident. Local authorities have assured the public that a thorough investigation will follow the rescue operation to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to check if regulatory norms were adhered to during construction.
Rescue teams have repeatedly attempted to make contact by calling out the names of the trapped workers, but to date, there has been no response. “Our teams are using every available resource, including advanced communication systems and thermal imaging technology, to locate and reach the workers. We are not leaving any stone unturned,” said another government spokesperson.
The rescue operation, now entering its fourth day, has mobilized personnel from multiple agencies, including some units of the Navy’s MARCOS, to provide additional support and technical expertise in handling the precarious site. Local residents have been advised to steer clear of the area as safety perimeters remain firmly in place to protect both the public and rescue workers.
While the trapped workers have been without contact for over three days, officials remain cautiously optimistic that they will be reached soon. Family members of the workers have been informed about the ongoing efforts and are being updated regularly through government liaison channels. The pressure is mounting on the rescue team to secure communication before the situation deteriorates further, especially given the concerns about dwindling air quality and limited access to essentials in the confined space.
State officials have vowed to keep the public informed as new developments arise in the rescue operation. “We are fully committed to ensuring the safe rescue of all trapped workers, and we ask for patience and support as operations continue under extremely challenging conditions,” the spokesperson said. Further details will be released as the situation evolves.
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