Nagarkurnool, Telangana – March 1, 2025: In a significant development in the Telangana tunnel collapse rescue operation, authorities have successfully identified the location of four out of eight workers trapped since February 22. State Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao confirmed the update on Saturday, expressing optimism that these four individuals could be rescued by Sunday evening.
Minister Krishna Rao, who visited the incident site along with Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and reviewed the progress with rescue officials, stated, "In my view, the whereabouts of four persons have been located through radar."
However, he also pointed out that the remaining four workers are believed to be trapped beneath the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), complicating their rescue. The massive, 450-foot-tall TBM is currently being cut to facilitate further progress in rescue operations.
When asked about the health condition of the four workers whose locations have been identified, Rao reiterated that survival chances remained slim, a statement he had first made shortly after the tunnel collapse occurred.
Complex Rescue Operations Amid Harsh Conditions
Responding to criticism from opposition parties about delays in rescue efforts, Krishna Rao emphasized the complexity of the situation, noting that the rescue teams—comprising experts from 11 different agencies—are facing challenging conditions including heavy slush inside the tunnel.
Eight people, including engineers and laborers, became trapped when the roof of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapsed on February 22. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly for over a week to reach the trapped workers and safely bring them out.
Efforts remain ongoing with continued coordination among multiple agencies to expedite the process.
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