Race Against Time: Rescue Efforts Intensify for Eight Trapped Indian Workers

The rescue mission for eight men trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Telangana continues to face significant challenges, as hope diminishes for their safe recovery.

Authorities in the southern Indian state of Telangana are in a race against time to save eight construction workers trapped inside a tunnel for over 72 hours. The incident occurred on Saturday morning when a section of the tunnel’s roof caved in while approximately 50 workers were inside. While 43 men escaped safely, the remaining eight have not only been unreachable, but efforts to deliver oxygen and supplies have been hampered by unstable soil and mud inside the tunnel.

State minister Jupally Krishna Rao conveyed to PTI news agency, "the chances of their survival are very remote," highlighting the dire circumstances for the trapped workers. An expert rescue team comprised of specialized "rat-hole miners" was dispatched to assist in clearing debris, trained previously for such narrow escapes, and they successfully extracted a larger group of workers from a separate landslide incident in Uttarakhand earlier this year.

As of Tuesday, construction crews had completed around 33 kilometers of excavation with approximately 10 kilometers remaining. Rescue operations involve traveling by train to the nearest access point, after which workers transfer onto a conveyor belt to remove debris. Further complicating this mission is the rugged terrain, which has slowed progress significantly.

Families of the trapped men, who primarily rely on daily wages, are expressing their fears and frustrations at the situation. Rampratap Sahu, the father of one of the trapped workers, commented, “I just hope that this time my son comes back safe. I will never send him away to earn again.” Others, like Jaspreet Kaur, expressed anger towards authorities for allowing the workers to operate under such hazardous conditions, particularly now that their loved ones are at risk.

The accident took place during construction of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC), which is integral to Telangana’s irrigation project and runs through the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam tiger reserve, the largest in India. The tunnel collapsed when a concrete slab over a leak gave way. On-site rescue efforts have required the coordination of multiple teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, firefighters, and Indian army soldiers.

According to officials, the rescue team encountered significant obstacles when their progress was blocked by mud and the overturned drilling machinery. "We shouted and screamed, whistled and pointed torches, hoping for a response but didn't hear anything," one rescuer recounted, underlining the uncertainty and dangers ahead.

As the rescue mission continues, families remain steadfast in their hope for a miracle. "When I left home, my wife held me, wept and said, do not come back empty handed. Bring back my son," expressed Sahu. “But what can I do? I can only sit here and pray to god to return my son to me. I want nothing else.”