Telangana tunnel collapse: 1 body recovered after 16 days
What's the story
Rescue teams have managed to recover one body from the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) Tunnel in Telangana's Nagarkunool. The mishap on February 22 trapped eight workers inside. The body was found stuck in a machine in the collapsed part of the tunnel. "We found one dead body stuck in the machine, with only the hand visible," said an unidentified official, according to ANI.
Ongoing efforts
Rescue operation marks 16th day of efforts
The rescue operation has entered its 16th day, as cadaver dogs were deployed to help in the search for the remaining workers. The Belgian Malinois breed dogs of the Kerala police are said to be able to detect scent from a depth of up to 15 feet. Telangana's irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to take immediate steps to deploy robots for the rescue work inside the partially collapsed SLBC tunnel.
National disaster
Minister Reddy emphasizes on using advanced technology
Calling the mishap a "national disaster," Reddy said the state government is utilizing the best global technology to tackle challenges during the final stretch of the 14-kilometer-long tunnel. "The government is determined to continue the rescue operation though the conditions inside the tunnel, including low levels of oxygen, high seepage of water, and the sturdy parts of TBM that got drowned in water and soil, posed challenges to the operation."
Commitment
Reddy assures full support for rescue operation
The government has earmarked ₹4 crore to carry out the rescue work through the services of robot experts. Reddy assured that the government will extend full support to workers and officials involved in the rescue operation. CM A Revanth Reddy, who visited the site on March 2, had suggested using robots inside if needed to avoid danger to personnel.