Telangana Tunnel Rescue: Teams Locate Bodies of Trapped Workers

Rescue teams working at the Telangana SLBC tunnel collapse site have made a crucial breakthrough, locating the tentative positions of several trapped workers' bodies. Efforts are now focused on retrieving them, marking a significant step in the ongoing operation that began after the tunnel collapse on February 22.

Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy had earlier estimated that the rescue and relief efforts would take at least two more days. The eight trapped individuals included two engineers, two machine operators from Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab, and four laborers from Jharkhand.

Authorities are working on clearing the tunnel by dismantling the stuck Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) with gas cutters. Once the blockage is removed, rescue teams, including personnel from the Army, Navy, NDRF, and Rat Miners, will make another attempt to recover the bodies while ensuring the safety of the rescuers.

According to Nagarkurnool Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad, clearing metal debris is a top priority. "One team entered the tunnel at 7 AM, and operations to remove debris have been ongoing since yesterday morning. Dewatering efforts are also in progress," he stated.

To expedite the process, South Central Railway (SCR) has deployed specialized teams equipped with heavy-duty metal-cutting tools. Responding to a request from the district administration, SCR sent two teams of experts. The first, led by Divisional Mechanical Engineer S Murali, consists of a Senior Section Engineer, 13 welders, and two technicians from Secunderabad. A second team has been dispatched for additional support.

Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) has also mobilized 200 personnel, working in four shifts to ensure uninterrupted progress. "Our workforce is highly skilled in handling complex cutting equipment, and they are trained in first aid to manage any emergencies," SCCL stated.

Rescue teams continue to work on restoring the track leading up to the TBM while removing accumulated slush and debris. Officials emphasize that the operation remains challenging and could take time before it is successfully completed.