INDIA: Search teams in southern India are racing against time to rescue eight workers trapped inside an irrigation tunnel that collapsed during construction in Telangana. The incident occurred after a sudden influx of water and soil caused a section of the tunnel to cave in, leaving engineers and laborers stuck near the entrance. Authorities have assured that a coordinated rescue operation is in progress, with efforts focused on clearing debris and pumping out water to reach those trapped inside.
India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was deployed on Saturday night to assist local authorities in the rescue efforts. Officials confirmed that the tunnel’s ventilation system remains functional, ensuring a supply of oxygen to the workers inside. The state’s irrigation minister emphasized the government’s commitment to safely retrieving the trapped individuals, stating that all necessary resources were being utilized to expedite the operation.
Rescue teams face significant challenges, including the unstable nature of the collapsed section and the need for specialized equipment to safely navigate the site. The trapped workers’ exact condition remains uncertain, but officials remain optimistic that their continued access to oxygen will aid in their survival until they can be reached. Media reports suggest that the process of removing debris is progressing cautiously to prevent further cave-ins.
Construction-related accidents are a recurring concern in India, where large-scale infrastructure projects often face safety issues. The Telangana tunnel collapse echoes a similar incident in 2023, when 41 workers were trapped in a collapsed Himalayan road tunnel in Uttarakhand. After an intensive 17-day rescue operation, all workers were safely evacuated, highlighting the complexity of such rescues and the importance of meticulous engineering interventions in hazardous conditions.
