Body Recovered in SLBC Tunnel After 16 Days of Rescue Efforts
After 16 days of continuous rescue efforts, a body has been recovered from the collapsed tunnel at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC). The body was found in front of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).
Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, the Navy, and technical experts, have been working tirelessly to locate the trapped individuals. The tunnel collapse initially buried eight workers under the debris.
Officials confirmed that the recovered body was in a highly decomposed state. It was identified as that of TBM operator Gurupreet Singh. A bracelet found on the body helped in the identification. The body has been sent to Nagarkurnool Hospital for further procedures.
The final 50 meters of the rescue operation were especially difficult. The team used advanced techniques like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and cadaver dogs to locate remains. A breakthrough occurred when a hand was spotted on the left side of the TBM, revealing the body trapped in concrete. After careful efforts, the rescue team successfully retrieved the remains. Officials, including State Disaster Management Authority Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar and Nagarkurnool District Collector Badhawat Santosh, reviewed the rescue operations.
To assist in the search, two Belgian Malinois dogs, Maya and Murphy, were brought in from Kerala. They played a crucial role in locating potential remains.
A total of 157 workers and technical experts worked together in the morning rescue efforts, continuing their mission to recover the remaining trapped individuals.
