At least six workers are feared trapped after a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Telangana on Saturday. According to the police, the construction company has dispatched an assessment team to gather more information. The collapse occurred behind the Srisailam dam when some workers entered the tunnel to fix a leak. While three workers managed to escape, at least six others are believed to be trapped inside, prompting a rescue operation.
The tunnel is part of the ongoing Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project in Nagarkurnool district, located in Amrabad.
“A portion of the SLBC tunnel behind the Srisailam dam near Domalapenta experienced a collapse on Saturday. In particular, at the 14th km point, the roof of the left-side tunnel collapsed for three meters. This happened when employees were performing their duties at the site,” an official statement said.
The tunnel had only been reopened four days prior to the collapse, the statement added. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident in an online post. While he mentioned that several individuals were injured, he did not specify the exact number of casualties.
“After receiving information about the tunnel collapse and several injuries, the Chief Minister immediately alerted the officials. He ordered the District Collector, SP, Fire Department, Hydra and Irrigation Department officials to immediately reach the spot and provide relief measures,” the post said.
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar, along with other officials from his department, took a special helicopter to the accident site. Additionally, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy also inquired about the cause of the accident and urged officials to safely rescue those trapped. In an X post, he mentioned he had instructed authorities to ensure the injured receive medical treatment.
