Rescue operation for the trapped labourers in an under-construction tunnel at Khoni Nallah near Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar highway resumed on Saturday morning.
Rains and landslides had hindered the operations on Friday. The tunnel collapsed on Thursday leading to the death of one labourer and trapping nine others.
“Weather is good and a lot of progress has been made in clearing the debris,’’ Deputy Commissioner Ramban Massarat Isam told THE WEEK. “We hope to locate the remaining nine labourers before sunset.”
Rescue operations were resumed at the audit tunnel at 5.30am and are going on. The rescue operation is being aided by rock-breakers and personnel from DRF, SDRF, QRT and Army have also been deployed at the spot to assist the operation.
One labourer from West Bengal was killed and three others were rescued. Nine others remain trapped.
Traffic on the highway has resumed normally.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh visited the incident site to take stock of the situation.
There are also fears that the trapped labourers may not be alive.
