India Races Against Time to Rescue Eight Workers Trapped in Collapsed Telangana Tunnel
Rescuers in India are still working tirelessly to save eight workers trapped underground for more than 100 hours after a tunnel collapse in Telangana.
A section of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel caved in on Saturday morning, sending water and mud rushing into the massive 33-foot-wide structure. Of the 50 workers inside at the time, 43 managed to escape, but eight remain unaccounted for.
Despite relentless efforts, rescue teams—including the Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force—have struggled to establish contact with the trapped men due to unstable soil and repeated setbacks.
Authorities have deployed specialized "rat miners," known for their successful 2023 rescue of 41 workers trapped in a collapsed Himalayan tunnel. Rescuers have been working to clear debris, dewater the tunnel, and lay tracks to transport heavy equipment closer to the collapse site.
Hopes for survival are fading. Telangana state minister Jupally Krishna Rao admitted Tuesday that the chances of finding the men alive were “very, very, very, very remote,” as there has been no response to calls near the collapse site.
The 27-mile-long irrigation tunnel, one of the world's longest under construction, has faced repeated delays since work began in 2005. About 20 miles have been excavated so far, with seven miles still to go.
Rescue efforts continue despite the grim outlook.
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