Telangana tunnel collapse: Cadaver dogs guide rescuers to possible location of 8 trapped workers

Rescue efforts to save the eight workers inside the partially collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project tunnel are progressing at a brisk pace, with operations entering 15th day. The rescuers are yet to make a breakthrough in the operation to save the trapped workers.

Over 700 personnel have been deployed round-the-clock at the tunnel site for the rescue operations and over 12 agencies are involved. The rescuers have now deployed cadaver dogs from Kerala for the operation. 

According to authorities, the cadaver dogs were brought in a special helicopter to the tunnel site on Friday and utilised for the rescue efforts. The cadaver dogs can reportedly identify the presence of human bodies upto 15ft beneath under the ground. The dogs are trained to locate missing humans and human bodies. Agencies including NDRF, the Indian Army and Navy are involved in the operation.

As per authorities, the slit is being removed at locations where dogs have now identified. Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has been overseeing the operation and is expected to review the rescue efforts on Saturday.

The roof of the under-construction SLBC tunnel partially collapsed on February 22, trapping eight workers inside the tunnel. The trapped workers include four labourers, two engineers and two operators. The trapped persons have been identified as Manoj Kumar (UP), Sri Niwas (UP), Sunny Singh (J&K), Gurpreet Singh (Punjab) and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu and Anuj Sahu, all from Jharkhand.

Recently, a robotic firm visited the site and assessed the possibility of utilising robots for the rescue operation. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy visited the site earlier this month and assessed the progress of rescue operations.