Following a meeting with officials overseeing the operation, Rao, along with Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, stated that substantial progress had been made over the past two days.
“In my view, the whereabouts of four persons have been located through radar,” the minister told reporters at the site. He expressed hope that they could be brought out by Sunday evening. However, he added that the remaining four seemed to be trapped beneath the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), PTI reported.
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When asked about the condition of those whose locations has been identified, Rao recalled his statement from the first day of the collapse, reiterating that the chances of survival were slim.
The 450-foot-tall TBM, which is being cut as part of the rescue efforts, has posed significant challenges. personnel from around 11 agencies have been actively working at the site to ensure the safe extraction of those trapped.
Addressing criticism from the opposition parties regarding the delay in the rescue operation, Rao defended the teams involved, emphasising that they are experts in the field. He noted that the complexity of the situation, including the presence of slush inside the tunnel, has made the operation particularly challenging.
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The tunnel collapse occurred last Saturday, on February 22, at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project, trapping eight individuals, including engineers and labourers, beneath the debris. Rescue operations have been ongoing, with teams working round the clock to reach the trapped individuals.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, employing advanced equipment and technical expertise in their efforts. The state government has assured that every possible measure is being taken to expedite the rescue and provide relief to the affected families.
The situation remains tense as rescue teams navigate the difficult conditions in their bid to retrieve the trapped workers. Further updates are expected as operations progress.
(With PTI Inputs)
