8 Dead in SLBC Tunnel Accident

Eight people lost their lives in the SLBC tunnel accident. The rescue team located the bodies at a depth of three meters. Using modern equipment and radar, the rescue team confirmed they had found the bodies. Among the deceased, six were workers, and two were engineers. There was a possibility of retrieving the bodies from the tunnel with some time.

After seven days of being trapped in the tunnel, the rescue team finally located the bodies of the eight workers. Many leaders have stated that if the Congress government had responded immediately, the workers would have been able to escape safely. It is widely known that the Revanth Reddy-led government failed to act promptly. While the SLBC tunnel accident occurred, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was busy with election campaigning. The lack of proper coordination in the rescue efforts has drawn criticism due to the absence of the Chief Minister. Ministers were reportedly coming in the morning and leaving by evening, and despite the workers being trapped for several days, there was no effort to rescue them safely, questioned former minister and Siddipet MLA Harish Rao.

According to preliminary reports, the location where the eight workers were trapped in the SLBC tunnel was identified using GPS. From early Friday morning until evening, advanced equipment was used to scan the final point of the tunnel using GPS devices. The preliminary NGIRI report confirmed the identification of five spots. Senior officials have stated that they closely examined the location where the workers were trapped using radio waves. Currently, there is a tense atmosphere at the site of the tunnel. Senior officials are reviewing the situation under the leadership of the Special Secretary for Disaster Management, Aravind Kumar. After reviewing this report, it is expected to be officially released to the media later today. The authorities are considering conducting excavations only at the identified spots to bring the workers out safely.

The accident occurred on the 22nd of this month at 8:20 AM at the 14th-kilometer point of the SLBC tunnel. Suddenly, a large amount of water, mud, and rocks fell, causing the ceiling of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) to collapse. Six workers and two engineers working in front of the TBM were trapped inside. Rescue operations have been ongoing for the last seven days. There is no doubt that the Congress government acted negligently in handling this disaster.