Trapped Workers in Indian Tunnel: Survival Hopes Dwindle

Rescue efforts continue in India as officials acknowledge the slim chances of survival for eight workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Telangana, following flooding and silt accumulation.

Officials in the Indian state of Telangana are grappling with a dire situation as rescue teams search for eight workers trapped in a collapsing tunnel. The incident occurred during a construction project for the Srisailam Left Bank Canal, part of an extensive irrigation initiative that has faced numerous delays since its inception in 2005. According to reports, a sudden influx of silt and water led to a ceiling collapse when the workers were approximately nine miles deep into the tunnel.

Manoj Gaur, chairman of Jaiprakash Associates, the construction company overseeing the project, described the disastrous scene, noting that a tunnel with a diameter exceeding 10 meters quickly transformed into a perilous environment filled with rushing water, mud, and debris. Rescuers from nine different agencies, including the Indian Army and Marine Commandos, have been mobilized, drawing on experience from previous rescue operations, such as the successful retrieval of 41 workers trapped in a similar incident in Uttarakhand last year.

Despite the ongoing search efforts, state officials have expressed concerns over the workers’ chances of survival. Telangana State Minister Jupally Krishna Rao shared that while he wished for the best, the likelihood of finding the workers alive is diminishing. He stated, "Even if there is the slightest chance, we will try to save them," underscoring the relentless commitment of rescue teams.

By Monday morning, rescuers were reported to have reached the tunnel-boring machine that obstructed the escape route for the trapped workers. However, their progress was significantly hindered by massive buildups of debris, with some sections reaching heights of six to seven feet. The ongoing incident has reignited discussions among activists and environmentalists regarding the impact of large construction projects on geological stability, a concern that has grown over the years of delays and complications tied to this extensive canal project.