Several workers feared trapped as tunnel collapses in India
The tunnel in Telangana had reopened just four days ago, reports say
Dubai: Several workers are feared trapped after a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Telangana on Saturday, multiple media reports said.
The collapse occurred on a stretch of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool district, behind the Srisailam dam, according to officials quoted in news reports.
An official statement cited by media outlets confirmed that the tunnel’s left-side roof collapsed for about three meters at the 14th km point while workers were inside. The tunnel had reportedly reopened just four days ago.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident, stating in an online post that several people were injured, though he did not specify numbers. "After receiving information about the collapse and injuries, the Chief Minister immediately alerted officials and directed them to provide relief measures," the post said.
According to reports, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar and senior department officials have left for the site in a special helicopter to oversee rescue operations.
Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy has also sought details of the accident, urging officials to ensure the safe rescue of those trapped. In a post on X, he said he has instructed authorities to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
Rescue efforts are currently underway.
