HYDERABAD: The rescue efforts in the SLBC tunnel tragedy have entered their 20th day, yet the whereabouts of seven missing victims remain unknown. The disaster, caused by a natural calamity, claimed the lives of eight individuals. Last Sunday, the body of one victim was recovered, while the search for the remaining seven continues relentlessly.
Over the past ten days, a foul odor has been emanating from the D2 section of the SLBC tunnel, raising suspicions about the location of the missing bodies. Despite round-the-clock efforts by rescue teams working in three shifts, the operation has yielded no significant breakthroughs, causing increasing concern.
The complexity of the rescue operation has escalated. Even though Kerala-cadre sniffer dogs have identified potential locations, rescue teams – including Singareni workers and rat-hole miners – have excavated up to 6 to 8 meters near the spot where the body of Gurpreet Singh from Robinson Company was found. However, no further remains have been discovered. Despite deploying 12 teams, sniffer dogs, and robotic technology, the search has not yet provided any conclusive results. Nonetheless, authorities remain committed to continuing the rescue mission despite the mounting challenges.
At the 14-kilometer mark inside the SLBC tunnel, experts have identified the D1 section as another critical location. They believe that removing 12 meters of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) debris might help locate the missing victims. However, reaching this area involves significant technical difficulties and risks.
On Wednesday afternoon, a robotic excavation machine was deployed to clear the debris. However, even after 20 hours, there has been no official update on its progress or the challenges it has encountered. The rescue teams, comprising top organizations from across the country, are facing increasing obstacles, but efforts to overcome these challenges and continue the operation remain unwavering.
