Telangana Tunnel Collapse: Officials Say Workers Chances of Survival are Slim

As efforts continue, family members and co-workers of the trapped individuals remain hopeful, praying for a miracle as rescuers race against time. The family members of four workers from Jharkhand have left for the southern state on Monday.

"Under the leadership of Gumla district administration, one member each from four families and a police officer left for Telangana from Birsa Munda Airport," the Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.

The tragedy has sparked a political controversy, with BRS Working President KT Rama Rao criticizing Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for being absent from the accident site while actively campaigning for the MLC elections. Defending the state government, Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy hit back, saying the opposition had also failed to visit similar past tragedies, including the Kaleshwaram project accident.

Despite the bleak outlook, CM Revanth Reddy has instructed officials to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing rescue efforts. Experts from across the country, including rat miners who had successfully rescued trapped workers in Uttarakhand's Silkyara Tunnel in 2023, have joined the operation.

A 584-member rescue team, including personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, NDRF, SDRF, and Singareni Collieries, has been working tirelessly to remove thick muck, tangled iron rods, and cement blocks obstructing access to the accident site. Sniffer dogs were also deployed but were unable to move forward due to the waterlogged tunnel conditions.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren speaking on state's labourers trapped in tunnel collapse incident in Telangana, stated, "Our officials are in contact with the officials there (in Telangana) in regard to this issue...After going from here, I will ask about the situation there..."

Telangana tunnel collapse rescue: "We got the name of rat miners after the Uttarkashi silkyara tunnel incident, in which our team of 12 people was involved (in rescuing the trapped labourers). Six of them are here and the remaining six will also join us. The plan of action will be decided after reviewing the condition inside" says one of the rat miners who were involved in the rescue operation at Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi in November 2023, where 41 labourers were trapped. Eight workers remain trapped in the debris after the SLBC tunnel in Telangana partially collapsed on Saturday.

Telangana: Rat miners who were part of the successful rescue operation for the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse that happened on October 31st, arrived in Nagarkurnool for the ongoing rescue operation for the Srisailam Left Bank Canal collapse

Firoz Qureshi, a rat miner, said, " I have come from Delhi, our whole team has come from Delhi, Collector has called us here. 6 of us have come here and 6 more will be coming, we are a team of 12 people. In Uttarakhand, we had rescued 41 labourers...till now, we have not received much information. As of now, we have been told that we need to go along with NDRF and SDRF teams. It will be difficult to say something until we see the situation there"

Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said on Monday that the chances of survival for the eight workers trapped in the SLBC tunnel after its partial collapse two days ago are "very remote," though rescue efforts continue.

He added that a team of rat miners, who previously rescued trapped construction workers from the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023, has now joined the ongoing operations to reach the trapped men.

The minister noted that the rescue process could take at least three to four days, as the site is filled with muck and debris, making it extremely challenging for the teams involved.

"To be honest, the chances of their survival are very, very, very, very remote. Because, I myself went up to the end, almost just 50 meters short (of the mishap site). When we took photographs, the end (of the tunnel) was visible. And out of the 9-meter diameter (of the tunnel)--almost 30 feet, out of that 30 feet, mud has piled up up to 25 feet," he told PTI.

As the operation to rescue the eight personnel trapped inside the tunnel of SLBC project in Telangana was in progress, the workers who survived the mishap hoped for the safe return of their colleagues and recalled the tragedy that unfolded before their eyes.

Nirmal Sahu, one of the workers, said when they went inside the tunnel on February 22 morning, the gush of water increased substantially and loose soil also started falling off.

Those who sensed the danger ran to safety but eight persons could not come out, Sahu, who hails from Jharkhand, told PTI videos.

"We expect the government to bring our colleagues out safely. We hope to see them alive," he said.

SLBC tunnel collapse: Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said, "I pray that everyone is safe and will come out safely... We will go the extra mile to save the trapped, and our prayers and efforts to rescue them will continue."

Telangana Tunnel collapse Live: Eight workers remain trapped after a Telangana tunnel collapse. Rescue operation face challenges, with agencies working together. Oxygen supply to trapped workers continues.

Telangana Tunnel collapse Live: India’s nine top agencies form unified command to save 8 lives in Telangana SLBC tunnel collapse. 

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live: Rat miners, who had rescued the construction workers trapped in the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023, has joined the rescue teams to extricate the men.

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live: L&T's endoscopic operator Dowdeep says, "Through the endoscopic camera, we can track what is happening inside the tunnel. We have done this during the rescue operation in Uttarakhand as well. 2 teams have come. Endoscopic and robotic cameras have been brought."

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live: Rocks and debris keep falling, 8 workers still trapped in the tunnel. Rescuers said they were 150 meters away from the accident site, with muck and debris hindering progress.

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live: Rescue operation is on. Indian Army and NDRF working together. Delay occurred due to waterlogging inside tunnel.

Telangana tunnel collapse Live updates: Chances of survival of 8 trapped persons "very remote", says Minister Rao.

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live: Survival chance very remote, machineries in place to clear debris: Minister Rao .After a daylong effort,rescuers said they were 150 meters away from the accident site.

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live Updates: 8 workers continue to remain trapped in a tunnel as the roof collapsed. The collapse occurred at least 13 km from the mouth of the tunnel and the rescuers have reached the final 100 metres as rescue operations enter day 3.

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live Updates: Nagarkurnool, Telangana: L&T's endoscopic operator Dowdeep says, "Through the endoscopic camera, we can track what is happening inside the tunnel. We have done this during the rescue operation in Uttarakhand as well. 2 teams have come. Endoscopic and robotic cameras have been brought."

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live updates: Rescue efforts continue for 8 people trapped in the SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana. Officials say survival chances are slim. Rescue ops may take 3-4 days. 

Telangana tunnel collapse Live update: Rescue teams face final 40-metre hurdle to reach trapped workers. Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao says chances of survival are “very remote,” but efforts continue.

Telangana tunnel collapse live: L&T's endoscopic operator Dowdeep says, "Through the endoscopic camera, we can track what is happening inside the tunnel. We have done this during the rescue operation in Uttarakhand as well. 2 teams have come. Endoscopic and robotic cameras have been brought."

Rescue teams are employing drones to navigate the obstructions. NDRF working to remove water for smooth rescue operations.

A team of rat miners, who had rescued the construction workers trapped in the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023, has joined the rescue teams to extricate the men.

As the operation to rescue the eight personnel trapped inside the tunnel of SLBC project in Telangana was in progress, the workers who survived the mishap hoped for the safe return of their colleagues and recalled the tragedy that unfolded before their eyes.

Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Monday said the chances of survival of the eight persons are "very remote," though every effort was being made to reach them. The Minister stated that rescuing the trapped individuals would take at least three to four days, as the accident site is filled with muck and debris, making it a daunting task for the rescuers.