Eight workers, including two engineers, are trapped under the debris of a part of the tunnel of Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLNC) in Telangana on Saturday.
A three-meter stretch of the roof of the tunnel, which is under construction, caved in this morning when 50 workers were busy working in their morning shift today.
According to Telangana Minister for Irrigation N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who is supervising the rescue and relief operations 42 workers rushed out when the roof collapsed, possibly due to seepage of water around 8.30 am am in the site at Domalapenta near Nagarkurnool in the State.
“Out of 42 who ran to safety, 13 were injured and are being treated in the Genco Hospital. Efforts are on to rescue those who are trapped in the tunnel,’‘ Reddy said at the site of the mishap. The workers are from the Jaypee Associates, a construction company, according to the officials.
- Also read: SLBC tunnel mishap: 7 workers trapped, rescue operations on
The tunnel is being constructed as part of the SLBC which is intended to supply the backwaters from Srisailam project to Nalgonda district to the needs of irrigation and drinking water.
Apart from the police and fire personnel who are already carrying out rescue operations, a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will also join shortly on the request of the State Government.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who expressed shock over the mishap, directed the officials to hasten rescue and relief operations to support the victims and their families.
The reactions to the mishap took a political turn as K.T. Rama Rao, executive president of the Opposition Bharata Rashtra Samithi (BRS) alleged `neglect’ of the government and `corruption’ in the works which were of `poor quality.
- Also read: SLBC tunnel mishap Live: 7 workers trapped, rescue operations underway