Continuous flow of silt and water poses major hurdle as rescue teams fight to save eight trapped workers.
In a major development, after five days of intense efforts, a team of experts engaged in rescuing the eight persons trapped in the partially collapsed SLBC tunnel in Telangana's Nagarkurnool successfully reached the end of the tunnel but was unable to locate those stuck inside, a senior police officer said on Wednesday, as confirmed by PTI.
The teams so far were able to reach up to 50 meters before the end of the tunnel only due to muck and debris.
"A 20-member team comprising NDRF, SDRF, and Rat Miners was able to reach the last points of the tunnel. But there was a lot of debris. They are working out how to go about it. One day before, they were able to reach up to 40 meters (before the end of the tunnel). Yesterday they reached (crossed) that 40 meters also," Nagarkurnool Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad told PTI.
According to Gaikwad, a search operation was carried out at the site, but nothing was found as of last night.
He said, "The Geological Survey of India team, which has collected samples, is yet to submit its reports on soil strength and others."
Top experts from the Indian Army, Navy, NDRF, GSI, and other agencies are continuing their tireless efforts to rescue eight persons trapped in the partially collapsed SLBC tunnel in Telangana's Nagarkurnool. Despite the treacherous conditions, with a continuous flow of silt and water threatening the lives of rescuers, the teams are pushing forward with their operations.
Addressing media, Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday cited experts, who described this as the most complex and difficult tunnel rescue operation in the world, or at least in India, as there is only one entry or exit to the SLBC tunnel.
There was no contact with the trapped persons, though oxygen is being pumped into the tunnel continuously, the minister said.
Eight personnel working on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project were trapped after a portion of the tunnel collapsed on February 22.