Thu Feb 27 07:50:26 UTC 2025: ## Hope Fades in Telangana Tunnel Rescue as Debris Blocks Access
**Hyderabad, February 27, 2025** – Rescue efforts to reach eight individuals trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district entered their sixth day today with dwindling hopes of survival. Rescue teams have reached within 50 meters of the trapped workers—two engineers, two technicians, and four laborers—but found the tunnel completely blocked by debris from a Saturday collapse.
The debris, including soil and broken parts of the tunnel boring machine (TBM), leaves no gap between itself and the tunnel roof, rendering infrared cameras useless. Images captured by rescue teams show a terrifying scene, with little chance of survival given the lack of food and water for over 125 hours. While fresh air is being pumped into the tunnel, the high humidity and pressure inside pose significant challenges.
The focus has shifted to debris removal, a process complicated by concerns about further collapses in the unstable 50-meter section. Experts from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) are assessing the safety of excavation in the unlined portions of the tunnel. Continuous dewatering efforts are also underway to ensure safe access for rescue teams.
A delegation from the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has traveled to the site to assess the situation. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety protocols in large-scale infrastructure projects.
First Piper 