Rescue teams have recovered one body from the debris inside the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district, where eight workers were trapped following the February 22 collapse.
According to officials, the body was found trapped in a machine inside the affected section of the tunnel. It has been sent to the Nagarkurnool civil hospital for post-mortem and further procedures, a senior official told PTI. The rescue operation, which has now entered its 16th day, continues with intensive efforts from multiple agencies.
Cadaver Dogs Assist in Search Efforts
Earlier today, specially trained cadaver dogs were brought in to aid in the search, detecting human remains inside the tunnel. The Kerala Police’s Belgian Malinois breed dogs, known for their ability to detect scents from up to 15 feet underground, have been instrumental in locating trapped individuals, PTI reported.
Use of Robots for Rescue Operations
In an effort to expedite the rescue, Telangana’s Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to deploy robots to navigate the collapsed tunnel. Calling the incident a “national disaster,” Reddy emphasized that the state government is employing advanced global technology to tackle challenges such as low oxygen levels, high water seepage, and obstructive debris from a tunnel boring machine.
The minister also visited the tunnel site on Saturday and reviewed the ongoing rescue efforts with officials from multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, and the Navy.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts
The SLBC tunnel collapse has left eight engineers and laborers trapped since February 22. Despite the dangerous conditions inside, teams from various agencies continue to work tirelessly to ensure their safe retrieval. Authorities remain committed to overcoming the operational hurdles posed by the flooded and unstable tunnel structure.
Sources By Agencies