Mon Feb 24 09:23:00 UTC 2025: ## Hope Fades for Eight Trapped in Telangana Tunnel Collapse
**Hyderabad, Telangana –** A desperate race against time is underway to rescue eight people trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Telangana. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 22nd, near Domalpenta in Nagarkurnool district, when a portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel caved in. Among the missing are two engineers, two technicians, and four workers.
Over 53 hours after the collapse, rescue efforts are hampered by significant challenges. A 150-meter stretch of the tunnel remains inaccessible due to debris, mud, and constant water seepage. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) is buried under the debris.
Joint rescue teams, including personnel from Central and State agencies, the Indian Navy, and experts from L&T and IIT Madras, are working around the clock. Indian Navy divers and MARCOS commandos are utilizing specialized equipment to locate the trapped individuals. Teams with experience in previous tunnel collapses, such as the 2023 Silkyara incident, are also assisting.
The accumulation of muck and debris, up to 6-7 feet high in places, along with the water seepage, is slowing progress significantly. While a conveyor belt typically used to remove excavated material is now being used as a ramp by rescue personnel, the continuous water inflow has also limited the operational range of the tunnel’s locomotive.
The condition of the eight trapped individuals remains unknown, fueling growing concerns about their safety and survival. The rescue operation continues, but the challenges remain substantial.
First Piper 